Schizotrophic Sclerotinia sclerotiorum-Mediated Root and Rhizosphere Microbiome Alterations Activate Growth and Disease Resistance in Wheat

Abstract

Fungal pathogens are seriously threatening food security and natural ecosystems; efficient and environmentally friendly control methods are essential to increase world crop production. S. sclerotiorum , a widespread pathogen of dicotyledons, can grow endophytically in wheat, providing protection against Fusarium head blight and stripe rust and enhancing wheat yield. In this study, we discovered that S. sclerotiorum treatment increased the diversity of the soil fungal and bacterial community in rhizosphere soil, while the diversity of the fungal community was obviously decreased in the wheat root.