Tree genotype and genetically based growth traits structure twig endophyte communities.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Plant-Fungal Interactions
• Genetics

Background:

• Fungal endophytes reside within plant tissues, forming diverse relationships with their hosts.
• Understanding endophyte sensitivity to host plant genetic variation is crucial for ecological and evolutionary insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how fungal endophyte communities in Populus angustifolia vary across different tree genotypes.
• To determine if endophyte variation is associated with specific tree traits.
• To assess the influence of tree genotype on interspecific fungal interactions within endophyte communities.

Main Methods:

• Fungal endophytes were isolated from Populus angustifolia twigs grown in a common garden setting.
• Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used for fungal characterization.
• Quantitative measurements included twig length and diameter, aboveground tree biomass, and condensed tannin concentration.

Main Results:

• Fungal community structure, including composition and abundance, differed significantly among Populus angustifolia genotypes.
• Aboveground biomass and twig diameter positively correlated with endophyte isolation frequency and community composition.
• Fungal co-occurrence patterns indicated negative species interactions, with significance varying by host genotype.

Conclusions:

• Genetically based variation in plant traits within a species can profoundly influence associated microbial communities, such as fungal endophytes.
• Host genetic variation impacts the structure and interactions of endophyte communities, with implications for ecosystem dynamics.
• These findings highlight the importance of host genetics in shaping plant-associated microbial communities beyond the species level.