Soil microbiota plays a key regulatory role in the outbreak of tobacco root rot

Abstract

IntroductionRoot rot caused by the fungal pathogenFusariumsp. poses significant challenges to tobacco cultivation in China, leading to major economic setbacks. The interplay between this pathogen and the wider soil microbial community remains poorly understood.MethodsHigh-throughput sequencing technology was utilized to evaluate soil prokaryotic, fungal, and protistan communities. We compared microbial communities in infected soils to those in healthy soils from the same field. Additionally, the influence of pH on the microbial communities was assessed.ResultsInfected soils displayed elevated levels of soil nutrients but diminished observed richness across prokaryotic, fungal, and protistan groups. The pathogenic fungiFusarium solani fsp.eumartii’sabundance was notably increased in infected soils. Infection withF. solanisignificantly altered the soil’s microbial community structure and interactions, manifested as a decrease in network scale and the number of keystone species. An evaluation of prokaryotes’ role inF. solani’sinvasion revealed an increased number of connecting nodes in infected soils. Additionally, relationships between predatory protists and fungi were augmented, whereas predation onF. solanideclined.DiscussionThe study underscores the significance of comprehending the interactions among soil microorganisms and brings to light the susceptibility of soil microbial communities to pathogen invasion. It offers insights into the multifaceted relationships and potential vulnerabilities within the soil ecosystem in the context ofFusariumsp. invasion.