Diversity and distribution of endophytic actinomycetes strains in Sophora alopecuroides L. from Baijitan Nature Reserve of Ningxia

Abstract:

[Objective] The diversity and microflora composition of endophytic actinomycetes from Sophora alopecuroides L. in arid and desolate areas of Ningxia were analyzed, which could also provide research methods and theory on rational development and use of endophytic actinomycetes from Sophora alopecuroides L.. [Methods] The endophytic actinomycetes were separated and cultivated from 30 samples of healthy roots, stems, leaves and seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L. by tissue homogenate in six sample plots, where were sampled from different vegetations and soil types in Baijitan Nature Reserve of Ningxia. Endophytic actionmycetes were classified according to their morphological characteristics of culture, bacterial colonies and spores and 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis. Relative frequency (Rf), Shannon-wiener index (F), Margalef index (D) and Sorenson’s similarity coefficient (Cs) were calculated to analyze their characteristics of microflora composition. [Results] 111 endophytic actinomycetes were isolated from 30 samples, and they belong to Streptomyces, Nocardiopsis, Prauserella, Actinophytocola, Microbacterium, Actinosynnema, Thermoleophilum, Glycomyces and Saccharothrix respectively, Streptomyces and Nocardiopsis were dominant genera. The distribution of endophytic actinomycetes from Sophora alopecuroides L. has some degree of tissue preference. Quantities of endophytic actinomycetes from roots and seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L. were more than ones of stems and leaves for the same plant. In different vegetations types, Shannon-wiener index (H′) of endophytic actionmycetes from Sophora alopecuroides L. were most significantly in the sandy weeds (sample Ⅳ) and least in desert steppes (sample Ⅴ). The community of endophytic actinomycetes from Sophora alopecuroides L. of desert steppe (sample Ⅴ) and woodland (sample Ⅵ) has closely similarity. [Conclusion] From the experiment we can see that Sophora alopecuroides L. have abundant resources of endophytic actinomycetes, the species diversity of endophytic actinomycetes communities is affected both by its host preference and by its different habitats.