Stability of the Wheat Seed Mycobiome Along North Carolina's Longitudinal Gradient

This study addresses the critical role of endophytic fungal communities within wheat seeds, exploring their diversity and stability across different geographical and temporal scales in North Carolina (NC). The primary objective was to understand how these fungal communities contribute to wheat yield, resilience, and overall performance by analyzing their composition across latitude and longitude gradients. Given the importance of selecting regionally adapted wheat varieties for improved agricultural outcomes, our research offers insights into the lesser-known factors, such as endophytic fungal communities, that could significantly impact crop performance.We focused on two soft red winter wheat cultivars, Hilliard and USG 3640, known for their regional adaptation in NC. The study involved collecting and analyzing wheat seed samples from official variety trials conducted across five geographic locations in 2021 and two in 2022. By employing ITS1 sequence-based analysis on surface-disinfested seeds, we aimed to assess the alpha and beta diversity within these endophytic communities, identifying factors that influence species richness and community structure.Our findings reveal that, while geographical location affects species richness, the overall structure of the wheat seed mycobiome remains remarkably stable across different cultivars and over consecutive years. Both latitude and longitude were found to contribute to the observed variations in mycobiome structure. This variation correlates with several agronomic factors, including yield, seed moisture content, and leaf nutrient levels. Notably, certain taxa such as Alternaria and Epicoccum spp. demonstrated high relative abundance across all cultivars, geographical sites, and years, suggesting their fundamental role within the wheat seed mycobiome.The research underscores the stability and resilience of endophytic fungal communities within wheat seeds, emphasizing their potential as indicators of crop health and performance. By providing a comprehensive catalog of core fungal taxa, our study not only enhances understanding of the mycobiome's role in agriculture but also supports the selection of wheat varieties better adapted to the diverse environmental conditions found across NC.This investigation into the wheat seed mycobiome across spatial and temporal gradients in NC contributes valuable knowledge towards optimizing wheat cultivation practices. Understanding the dynamics of these fungal communities can lead to improved crop management strategies, ultimately enhancing wheat yield and performance in a regionally specific context.