Differential effects of pine wilt disease on root endosphere, rhizosphere, and soil microbiome of Korean white pine

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02326-24
• Publication Date: 2025-03-06T14:14:22Z
• Authors: Zehai Hou; Mingwei Wang; Hongwei Xu; Minggang Wang; S. Emilia Hannula
• Keywords: Wilt disease

Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by pinewood nematodes, is highly destructive to pine forests in Asia and Europe, including Korean white (Pinus koraiensis). The microbiome the needles trunk of Pinus spp. are recognized play key roles resistance against PWD. However, role root soil microbiomes remains unclear. This study compares bacterial fungal communities endosphere, rhizosphere soil, bulk diseased versus healthy P. koraiensis. Results showed that PWD increased α-diversity fungi but did not affect microbial diversity endosphere or soil. composition soils was significantly altered Specifically, relative abundance Planctomycetes decreased, Tremellomycetes increased, while Agaricomycetes decreased both after infestation with PWD, respectively. Relative abundances Chloroflexi Verrucomicrobia Proteobacteria following Leotiomycetes Eurotiomycetes Furthermore, host plant ectomycorrhizal decreases, saprotrophic increases soils. Our results revealed affects koraiensis, varying impacts across different plant-soil compartments. provides insights into how respond enhancing our understanding disease's ecological consequences.IMPORTANCEThe belowground often sensitive infection forest diseases also as a potential reservoir for selection agents demonstrates dynamics natural compartment taxa specific, degrees responses highlight importance utilizing appropriate compartments understand consequences