Description of the fungal community associated with saffron (Crocus sativus L.) rhizosphere
Saffron, derived from the Crocus sativus flower, holds significant importance in various aspects, including culinary, medicinal, and economic significance. The production of saffron is impacted by the microbial community colonizing the rhizosphere of Crocus sativus, which plays crucial roles in plant growth and health. In order to evaluate the fungal diversity in the saffron plant rhizosphere, metabarcoding analysis was performed on rhizospheric and bulk soil samples from three villages in the Sous-Massa region of Morocco (Tassoussfi, Sidi Hssaine, Assaisse). The ITS1 and ITS2 regions were targeted for paired-end sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The study aims to enhance our understanding of the fungal diversity that could impact the saffron plant development.