Root mycobiomes: Diversity and plant-host interactions in extreme environments
A. PORRAS-ALFARO (1), S. L. Hicks (2), J. Tuter (3), T. Tobias (1), K. Sandona (1), D. O. Natvig (2), R. L. Sinsabaugh (4), R. Mussser (1), S. Hum-Musser (1). (1) Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, U.S.A.; (2) University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, U.S.A.; (3) Western Illinois University, Macomb, IN, U.S.A.; (4) University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, IL, U.S.A.
Plant roots are colonized by complex and largely unexplored mycobiomes. In extreme environments, these associations could be vital for survival and adaptation under factors such as changing climatic conditions and increase in N deposition. We have been characterizing root mycobiomes with the main objective to identify core functional groups. Plant mycobiomes were sequenced from environmental samples and fungi were isolated in culture from a semi-arid ecosystem in NM and an alpine tundra in Colorado. Dominant taxa were evaluated with model plants (corn and <i>Arabidopsis</i>) to determine their effects on plant growth and gene expression. Root mycobiomes were dominated by Ascomycota taxa. Arid systems endophytes were dominated by the order Pleosporales. While the alpine tundra samples were dominated by Helotiales. Germination experiments showed that dark septate fungi (DSF) from different orders can have similar functional effects on plant growth. Microarray analysis of DSF showed up-regulation of plant growth and photosynthetic genes. Plant defense pathways were also up-regulated. Potential roles of these complex communities and the impact of changing environmental conditions on their diversity will be discussed.
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