Diversity of endophytic fungal community associated to the roots of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels growing in the arid and semi-arid regions of Algeria

Abstract

<p>Current study identified endophytic fungi<em> </em>associated<em> </em>to<em> Argania spinosa</em> (argan) roots and revealed diverse haplotype diversity by the sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS). 586 operational taxonomic units were identified and these operational taxonomic units (OTUs) could be assigned to fungal functional diversity such as endophytes, ectomycorrhiza and putative pathogens. Ascomycota phylum was abundant. Beside Ascomycota phylum, Basidiomycota members were also found in argan roots. <em>Geopora, Sebacina, Knufia, Tomentella, Penicillim</em> had high relative abundance. Our results highlighted a non-nested assemblage of fungi. Current non-nested findings also confirm that fungi have similar pattern found in other habitats. Pairwise analysis mirrored segregation pattern between same and different functional fungal group. Fungi in semi-arid conditions are non-randomly structured. Members of Ascomycota phylum had high Z-scores. This is the first molecular study conducted in arid and semi-arid habitats of Algeria aiming to identify fungi associated with roots in argan tree. Given the fact that deserts are among harsh environments and fungi associated to desert plants may have implications for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.</p>