Microbiome dynamics during heart rot development in Abies georgei var. smithii revealed by 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing
This project employs high-throughput amplicon sequencing to investigate the structural succession of bacterial and fungal communities in the trunk of Abies georgei var. smithii (Smith's fir) during heart rot progression. Samples were collected from healthy, asymptomatic (internal decay), and symptomatic (fruiting bodies present) trees at two trunk locations (near-bark and near-pith) on the Sygera Mountain, southeastern Tibet. The study aims to identify key microbial taxa associated with different disease stages, and explore the potential of bark-associated microbes as early indicators of cryptic decay.