Differential Responses of Tree Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere Microbiomes to Mycorrhizal Types and Planting Patterns in a Young Subtropical Forest Plantation.

Tree mycorrhizal types and planting patterns distinctly shape phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbiomes, with fungal communities strongly influenced by mycorrhizal associations in a subtropical forest.

• Why it matters: Understanding how different tree-mycorrhizal relationships affect microbiomes is crucial for forest ecology and management, yet the specific responses across microbial groups and habitats remain unclear.
• What they did: The study examined bacteria, fungi, and protists in both leaf and root environments across two seasons, analyzing community composition and richness in relation to mycorrhizal type and planting pattern.
• The result: Fungal communities were primarily driven by mycorrhizal type, while bacterial communities responded mainly to leaf habit; protists showed weak host specificity and seasonal variation, highlighting complex ecological interactions.