The characters of root-derived fungi from Gentiana scabra Bunge and the relations with their habitats

Abstract

Abstract Aims Gentiana scabra Bunge (GTSB) root-derived fungi including endophytic fungi (EF) and rhizospheric fungi (RF) are key factors which influence the quality and fitness of this important herb. Methods We determined the population, diversity, and the dominant type of EF and RF in GTSB obtained from Liaoning, Yunnan and Jilin province, China by using ITS rRNA cloning and sequencing methods. Meanwhile, we investigated the potential influence of different habitats on fungi communities, and analyzed the correlation between fungi communities, the main active metabolites of Gentian polysaccharide and gentiopicroside in GTSB and soil physicochemical properities. Results 5,419 fungal isolates, belonging to 1 domain, 1 kingdom, 8 phyla, 32 classes, 104 orders, 280 families, 630 genera, 1,238 species were obtained. The population and diversity of EF and RF varied in both habitats and months, showing a significant difference. Among them, the predominant genera of EF were Lecidella and unclassified_p_Ascomycota, while the predominant genera of RF were complicated. Compared to EF, the diversity of rhizosphere fungi is more affected by soil physicochemical properties, including pH, water content, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, etc. Additionally, we found that the accumulation of gentiopicroside was positively correlated with EF of Epicoccum and RF of Mortierella, Solicoccozyma, Talaromyces and Trichoderma. The accumulation of Gentian polysaccharide was negatively correlated with EF of Lenzites, Mucor, Myrothecium and Saccharomycopsis and rhizosphere fungi, such as Botrytis, Cadophora, Cladophora, Didymela, Fusarium, etc. Conclusions This work will guide the development strategies to cultivate high-quality Gentiana scabra Bunge in the future and provide new ideas for the study of other medicinal plants.