High-throughput sequencing reveals the diversity and community structure of rhizosphere fungi of Ferula Sinkiangensis at different soil depths

Tao Zhang,Xinhua Lv,Zhongke Wang,Li Zhuang,Yang Li

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-43110-z

Abstract

Ferula sinkiangesis is a valuable medicinal plant that has become endangered. Improving the soil habitat of Ferula sinkiangesis can alleviate plant damage. Fungi play an important role in the soil, but current information on the fungal community structure in the habitat of Ferula sinkiangesis and the relationship between soil fungi and abiotic factors remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the relative abundance of fungal species in the rhizosphere of Ferula sinkiangesis. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the abiotic factor total potassium (TK) significantly explained the alpha diversity of the fungal community. At altitude, available phosphorus (AP), nitrate nitrogen (NN) and TK were significantly associated with the fungal species. In addition, a two-way ANOVA showed that soil depth had no significant effects on the alpha diversity of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere fungi. Interestingly, linear discriminant effect size (LEfSe) analysis indicated that different biomarkers were present at varying soil depths. These findings may be related to the growth and medicinal properties of Ferula Sinkiangensis.

Highlights

More than 150 species of ferula exist globally, mainly in Southern Europe, North Africa Central Asia and their adjacent ares[1]
Studies tracking the fate of root carbon using stable isotope detection (SIP) have shown that rhizosphere microorganisms add recently fixed plant 13 C to fungi to much higher levels than bacteria
We may have underestimated the role of fungi in the rhizosphere niche of plants, which may explain the lack of studies on Ferula sinkiangensis rhizosphere fungi

Summary

Introduction

More than 150 species of ferula exist globally, mainly in Southern Europe, North Africa Central Asia and their adjacent ares[1]. Studies tracking the fate of root carbon using stable isotope detection (SIP) have shown that rhizosphere microorganisms add recently fixed plant 13 C to fungi to much higher levels than bacteria. This applies to mycorrhizal fungi and to saprophytic fungi[19,20]. This study explores the role of fungi in the rhizosphere community structure and provides diversity information on Ferula sinkiangensis. We used Illumina HiSeq sequencing and multivariate analysis to assess the diversity and structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community in Ferula sinkiangensis. This is the first study that analyzes the diversity and structure of the rhizosphere fungi community in Ferula sinkiangensis through high-throughput sequencing

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Conclusion