Illumina Miseq sequencing-based fungal community of rhizosphere soils along root orders of poplar plantation

Abstract

The study on microbial community composition in rhizosphere soils surrounding different order roots is of great significance for understanding the interactions between roots and microbes. Using Illumina Miseq sequencing technology, this study analyzed the differences of fungal community structure in bulk soils and rhizosphere soils surrounding different root orders of poplar (Populus × euramericana 'Neva') tree. The microbial species annotation showed that 128, 124, 130 and 101 fungal genera were classified in the rhizosphere soils around 1-2 order roots (R1), 3 order roots (R2), 4-5 order roots (R3) and in the bulk soils (NR), respectively. The differences of present fungal genera indicated a selectivity mechanism driving fungal community assembly in poplar rhizosphere soils. There were seven fungal genera with more than 1% of relative abundance in rhizosphere soils. Trichoderma was the dominant fungal genus in R1. Trichosporon and Aspergillus were the dominant fungal genera in R2 and R3, respectively. Alpha (α) diversity indices showed that the fungal diversity was significantly different among root orders. Specifically, the diversity of soil fungal community in the rhizosphere soils around lower order roots was significantly higher than that of higher order roots (P＜0.05). Beta (β) diversity indices showed that the dissimilarity of fungal community composition increased along with the root orders. All these results implied the different composition and structure of fungal community are closely related with the function of fine root orders.