干旱区研究

Arid Zone Research >

2025 , Vol. 42 >Issue 9: 1640 - 1649

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.08

Plant Ecology

Community composition and functionalities of endophytic microorganisms in Haloxylon ammodendron seeds

  • ZHU Zhaohua ,
  • ZHAI Yixiao ,
  • LI Xinrong ,
  • Miao Yingxiang ,
  • MA Tong ,
  • LI Shanjia
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  • School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China

Received date: 2025-01-22

  Revised date: 2025-04-16

  Online published: 2025-09-16

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Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the ecological adaptive mechanisms and agricultural potential of endophytic microorganisms in desert plant seeds, using Haloxylon ammodendron seeds as the research subject. We combined high-throughput sequencing and conventional culture techniques to analyze the structural characteristics of endophytic microbial communities in H. ammodendron seeds and elucidate their potential roles in plant growth promotion and stress resistance. The results revealed that the endophytic bacterial community in H. ammodendron seeds comprised 668 species spanning 31 phyla, dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, whereas the endophytic fungal community included 583 species spanning 13 phyla, dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Functional annotation revealed distinct metabolic roles: the endophytic bacteria were enriched in chemoheterotrophy and fermentation, whereas the fungal communities exhibited saprophytic and pathogenic traits. Using conventional culture methods, we isolated 13 culturable endophytic bacterial strains, including two multifunctional plant growth-promoting strains (Priestia aryabhattai HB-4 and Priestia megaterium HB-9) and three salt-tolerant strains (Bacillus zhangzhouensis HB-6, Bacillus safensis HB-10, and Bacillus pumilus HB-11). Pot experiments demonstrated that HB-4 and HB-9 significantly enhanced wheat growth, while HB-6, HB-10, and HB-11 alleviated saline-alkaline stress in wheat. This study elucidates the ecological roles of endophytic microbes in H. ammodendron seeds, providing novel insights into the exploitation of microbial resources in desert ecosystems and the development of plant growth-promoting microbial agents.

Key words： Haloxylon ammodendron seeds; endophytic microorganisms; community structure; diversity; growth-promoting bacterial

Cite this article

ZHU Zhaohua , ZHAI Yixiao , LI Xinrong , Miao Yingxiang , MA Tong , LI Shanjia . Community composition and functionalities of endophytic microorganisms in Haloxylon ammodendron seeds[J]. Arid Zone Research, 2025 , 42(9) : 1640 -1649 . DOI: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.08

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