Seasonal Diversity of Endophytic Fungi in Camphora bodinieri with Citral Chemotype

This study investigated the seasonal dynamics of endophytic fungal communities in Camphora bodinieri with citral chemotype using high-throughput sequencing. Significant seasonal variations were observed in fungal diversity and composition: 23 shared species were identified across seasons, along with numerous season-specific species (most abundant in autumn, least in winter). Tissue type and season demonstrated interactive effects: leaves and stems exhibited similar fungal community structures, distinct from roots, with seasonal variations differing by tissue-for instance, root-specific species peaked in spring, while stem-specific species peaked in autumn. Ascomycota dominated across all seasons, while terpenoid-rich genera such as Alternaria and Aspergillus displayed seasonal preferences, potentially involved in citral synthesis. These findings highlight the synergistic effects of season and tissue type on fungal communities, providing important insights for the utilization of endophytic fungal resources and the study of ecological adaptations.