The distribution of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in environmental soil is greatly affected by livestock and poultry manure fertilization, the application of manure will lead to antibiotic residues and ARGs pollution, and increase the risk of environmental pollution and human health. Cinnamomum camphora is an economically significant tree species in Fujian Province, China. Here, through high-throughput sequencing analysis, significant differences in the composition of the bacterial community and ARGs were observed between fertilized and unfertilized rhizosphere soil. The application of chicken manure organic fertilizer significantly increased the relative abundance and alpha diversity of the bacterial community and ARGs. The content of organic matter, soluble organic nitrogen, available phosphorus, nitrate reductase, hydroxylamine reductase, urease, acid protease, β-glucosidase, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline in the soil of C. camphora forests have significant effects on bacterial community and ARGs. Significant correlations between environmental factors, bacterial communities, and ARGs were observed in the rhizosphere soil of C. camphora forests according to Mantel tests. Overall, the findings of this study revealed that chicken manure organic fertilizer application has a significant effect on the bacterial community and ARGs in the rhizosphere soil of C. camphora forests, and several environmental factors that affect the bacterial community and ARGs were identified.

Pleurotus eryngii is a commercially important edible fungus with high nutritional and economic value. However, few functional studies have examined key genes affecting the growth and development of P. eryngii. In this study, transformed strains, including over-expression (PeGNAI-OE) and RNA interference (PeGNAI-RNAi) lines, were constructed to elucidate the role of GNAI in P. eryngii growth. GNAI expression was found to affect the mycelial growth and the number of clamp connections. Moreover, the transformed strains were shown to have higher endogenous cAMP levels, thus affecting amylase and laccase activity. Fruiting experiments showed that GNAI expression revealed the formation of P. eryngii primordia and the number of buttons, while transcription analysis identified GNAI gene involvement in the growth and development of P. eryngii. Seven downstream genes regulated by GNAI were differentially expressed in PeGNAI-OE and PeGNAI-RNAi compared to wild type (WT). These genes may be related to mycelial growth and enzyme activity. They were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, inositol phosphate metabolism, ascorbate, aldarate metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism. In summary, GNAI performs different physiological functions in regulating the growth and development of P. eryngii. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms of GNAI regulatory function are relatively complex and need further study.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) form ubiquitous symbiotic relationships with plants through co-evolutionary processes, providing multiple benefits for plant growth, productivity, health, and stress mitigation. Mountain ecosystem multifunctionality is significantly influenced by mycorrhizal responses to climate change, highlighting the importance of understanding the complex interactions between these fungi and environmental variables. In this study, we investigated five vegetation zones across an altitudinal gradient (675–2157 m a.s.l.) in Wuyi Mountain, one of the most well-preserved mid-subtropical mountain ecosystems in eastern China. Using high-throughput sequencing, we examined the altitudinal distribution patterns, community assembly mechanisms, and network interactions of soil AMF and EMF. Our analyses demonstrated significant altitudinal variations in the composition and diversity of mycorrhizal fungal communities. AMF richness peaked in the subalpine dwarf forest at intermediate elevations, whereas EMF richness was highest in the low-altitude evergreen broad-leaved forest, showing a marked decrease in the alpine meadow ecosystem. β-diversity decomposition revealed that species turnover constituted the primary mechanism of community differentiation for both fungal types, explaining >56% of the observed variation. Stochastic processes dominated community assembly, with the relative importance of dispersal limitation and drift showing distinct altitudinal patterns. Network analysis indicated that AMF networks reached maximum complexity in evergreen broad-leaved forests, while EMF networks showed similar complexity levels in coniferous forests. Among the examined factors, soil properties emerged as the predominant driver of altitudinal variations in ecosystem multifunctionality, followed by AMF communities and climatic variables. These findings provide critical insights into the ecological functions and environmental adaptations of mycorrhizal fungi, advancing our understanding of their responses to environmental changes in mountain ecosystems and informing evidence-based conservation strategies.

The phyllosphere constitutes a critical habitat for microorganisms, exerting profound influences on host vitality, developmental dynamics, reproductive functions, and stress resilience. However, the diversity and network structure of endophytic and epiphytic fungal communities within this microecosystem have not been thoroughly explored. In this investigation, high-throughput sequencing technologies were employed to assess the diversity, community composition, and network structure of endophytic and epiphytic fungal communities associated with Mussaenda pubescens across six geographically distinct locations in Southeast China. The results revealed significant differences in community composition and diversity between endophytic and epiphytic fungi, with pronounced geographical variation observed within these phyllosphere fungal communities. Network analysis indicated that epiphytic fungal networks possess enhanced complexity compared with their endophytic counterparts, although the latter exhibit greater network stability. Moreover, stochastic processes were identified as pivotal in shaping the composition of these fungal communities. This research substantially enriches our comprehension of the diversity and organizational mechanisms of phyllosphere fungal communities, providing novel insights into the modalities of species coexistence and the stability of community equilibrium within ecosystems. IMPORTANCE: This study employs high-throughput sequencing technologies to explore the fungal communities within the phyllosphere of Mussaenda pubescens across Southeast China, offering significant insights into plant mycobiome. It demonstrates geographical variations in these fungal communities, with epiphytic fungi exhibiting more complex interaction networks compared with the endophytic fungi. Crucially, the research indicates that stochastic processes play a substantial role in the composition of fungal communities. These findings enhance our comprehension of plant-associated microecosystems and underscore the intricate interplay of randomness in maintaining ecosystem stability and diversity.