Endophytic fungal diversity ofFragaria vesca, a crop wild relative of strawberry, along environmental gradients within a small geographical area.
BACKGROUND
Fungal endophytes are highly diverse ubiquitous asymptomatic microorganisms, some of which appear to be symbiotic. Depending on abiotic conditions and genotype of the plant, the diversity of endophytes may confer fitness benefits to plant communities.


METHODS
We studied a crop wild relative (CWR) of strawberry, along environmental gradients with a view to understand the cultivable root-derived endophytic fungi that can be evaluated for promoting growth and tolerating stress in selected plant groups. The main objectives were to understand whether: (a) suboptimal soil types are drivers for fungal distribution and diversity; (b) high pH and poor nutrient availability lead to fungal-plant associations that help deliver fitness benefits; and (c) novel fungi can be identified for their use in improving plant growth, and alleviate stress in diverse crops.


RESULTS
The study revealed that habitats with high pH and low nutrient availability have higher fungal diversity, with more rare fungi isolated from locations with chalky soil. Plants from location G were the healthiest even though soil from this location was the poorest in nutrients. Study of environmental gradients, especially extreme habitat types, may help understand the root zone fungal diversity of different functional classes. Two smallin vitropilot studies conducted with two isolates showed that endophytic fungi from suboptimal habitats can promote plant growth and fitness benefits in selected plant groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Targeting native plants and crop wild relatives for research offers opportunities to unearth diverse functional groups of root-derived endophytic fungi that are beneficial for crops.
Natural Capital and Plant Health, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew , Richmond , Surrey , United Kingdom.
Kazutomo
K
Yokoya
Natural Capital and Plant Health, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew , Richmond , Surrey , United Kingdom.
Sarah
S
Postel
Natural Capital and Plant Health, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew , Richmond , Surrey , United Kingdom.
Rui
R
Fang
Natural Capital and Plant Health, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew , Richmond , Surrey , United Kingdom.
Viswambharan
V
Sarasan
Beneficial fungus; Biomass; Fitness benefit; In vitro; Root; Soil; Stress