Influence of root bacterial interactions on fungal communities in Fabaceae leaves

Title : Influence of root bacterial interactions on fungal communities in Fabaceae leaves

Abstract:

Plant-microbe interactions in tropical ecosystems are crucial for understanding ecological processes. This study examines how root bacterial symbioses in Fabaceae trees influence the diversity and composition of fungal communities in their leaves. The research analyzed the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequences of fungal endophytes across eight Fabaceae species, with equal representation of nodulating and non-nodulating trees, to assess the impact of nitrogen-fixing bacteria on foliar fungal diversity. The results revealed significant differences in fungal community composition based on nodulation capacity. Non-nodulating plants hosted more diverse fungal communities, with 130.5 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 72 fungal orders compared to 42.7 ASVs and 45 orders in nodulating species. Furthermore, approximately 40% of fungal orders were exclusive to non-nodulating plants, while only 5% were unique to nodulating species. Key fungal taxa, such as Cladosporium, Phyllosticta, and Aspergillus, were more prevalent in non-nodulating hosts. The findings suggest that nodulating plants, enriched with nitrogen through root symbioses, may experience reduced fungal diversity due to nutrient abundance driving competitive exclusion. In contrast, non-nodulating plants rely more on diverse fungal endophytes for nutrient acquisition and stress tolerance. The interplay between root-level bacterial interactions and leaf mycobiomes highlights the cascading effects of root symbioses on other plant tissues. This research underscores the importance of understanding plant-microbe interactions for ecosystem management and sustainable forestry. It also opens avenues for future studies exploring the chemical and ecological mechanisms shaping these relationships. By bridging the knowledge gap between root and leaf microbial interactions, this study contributes to the broader understanding of tropical legume ecology and offers insights for optimizing plant health in both natural and agricultural systems.

Biography:

Fabiana Tabash Porras is a Latin American student pursuing dual bachelor's degrees in Biology at the University of Costa Rica and Biotechnology Engineering at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology. She has collaborated in research groups such as the Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory and the Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, focusing on topics like optimizing DNA extraction protocols for plant species and studying plant-microbe interactions. Fabiana is deeply passionate about plant biotechnology and the role of microbial communities in enhancing plant health and productivity, with a keen interest in their potential applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.