Fungal community structure variability between the root rhizosphere and endosphere in a granite catena system in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Abstract

Soils harbour a great diversity of fungal species that have various ecological functions (Bridge & Spooner 2001; Havlicek & Mitchell 2014). Saprophytic fungi break down dead organic matter and, in turn, fertilise the soil (Setala & McLean 2004). Certain plant fungal pathogens are specifically adapted to infect plants through roots and to spread or survive in soils, while some pathogens affecting tissues of plants growing above the soil also have the ability to survive in soils. Propagules of more specialised below-ground fungi, such as mycorrhiza that form specialised root associations benefitting plant health, can also be found in surrounding soils (Moore, Robson & Trinci 2011). Similarly, propagules of various fungi occurring in different niches and substrates above ground can also be found in soils (Aylor 2003; Taylor & Bruns 1999).