Root microbiome of Panax ginseng in comparison with three other medicinal plants in the families of Araliaceae and Apiaceae

Abstract

Abstract The intricate interplay between endophytic microorganisms and plants in the upkeep of biodiversity, the stability of communities, and the operation of ecosystems needs to be more adequately extensive. Although root-associated microbial communities of plants have been revealed for the last decade, the understanding of bacterial and fungal communities associated with the roots of medicinal plants remains elusive. To highlight the importance of Panax ginseng Meyer (PG) in our research, we investigated the root endophytic bacterial and fungal communities of Panax ginseng Meyer (PG), alongside Aralia cordata (AC), Angelica gigas (AG), and Peucedanum japonicum (PJ), utilizing amplicon-based community profiling and advanced bioinformatic methodologies. The study aimed to investigate the root-endophytic microbiota of ginseng and three other medicinal plants and identify similarities in microbiome composition across different plant species and families. Results revealed that root-endophytic bacterial and fungal communities were influenced by plant species and phylogenetic differences at the family level. Differential abundance tests and random forest models showed microbial features within the same plant family. PG had a distinctive microbial profile with significant B1653_o_Enterobacterales and F8_o_Helotiales. PG had a core microbiome, B10_Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium, and a more evenly distributed microbial network compared to AG, PJ, and AC. Our research reveals the intricate endophytic microbial communities within the roots of medicinal plants, pinpointing specific taxa that may be pivotal to their medicinal qualities and overall plant health. These insights carry notable implications for future studies, particularly those focused on the endophytes of PG and their secondary metabolites, as they deepen our understanding of plant-microbe interactions and their role in enhancing the plants’ therapeutic potential.

Keywords

• Apiaceae
• Araliaceae
• Medicinal plants
• Panax ginseng Meyer
• Root microbiome