Functional Roles of the Microbiome
Plant-microbe interactions are vital in terrestrial ecosystems, allowing plants to acquire nutrients from fungi. Orchids heavily depend on fungal partners, with some shifting between autotrophy and mycoheterotrophy during development. Under ample light, they rely on photosynthesis, under low light, certain mixotrophic species obtain carbon from mycorrhizal fungi, and it is poorly understood, how fungal communities change and interact with plants under varying light remains unknown. We used Cypripedium calceolus to test whether low-light stress reduces photosynthesis and enhances fungal nutrient uptake (“free-riding”). However, Rhizosphere microbiome analyses showed canopy density, soil TN, and SOM strongly influence plant morphology and photosynthesis.