Potato rhizosphere fungal communities

The aim of the study is to characterize fungal communities associated with potato plants showing blemished tubers over two seasons and within seasons between plant growth stages. Soil microbes in association with the potato rhizosphere are thought to be responsible for causing tuber blemishes. Communities linked to blemishes can be determined by comparing communities of diseased to those of healthy plants. Further studies can test individual members linked to disease in co-inoculation tests to confirm pathogenicity.

本研究旨在解析两个生长季内，以及各生长季内不同植株生育阶段之间，表现块茎瑕疵症状的马铃薯植株相关真菌群落特征。学界普遍认为，与马铃薯根际相关联的土壤微生物是引发块茎瑕疵症状的诱因。通过对比发病植株与健康植株的真菌群落组成，可明确与块茎瑕疵症状相关的菌群特征。后续研究可通过共接种实验，对与病害相关的单一菌株进行验证，以确认其致病性。