Ecological feature and function of root endophytes in the Colorado desert. root metagenome

Plants in deserts are patchy distributed and expected to be developing the symbiotic relationship with root endophytic microbes to survive under extremely dry and low nutrient conditions. The importance of the root endophytes is shown in farmlands, grasslands, and forest. However, the knowledge in the desert is still limited. The purpose of the project is to reveal the ecological and functional feature of root endophytes in the desert ecosystem.