CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN A Deep Learning-Based, Bioinformatic Analysis of Foliar Fungal Endophytes in Litter Decomposition

Overview

Litter decomposition is a key ecological process that plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle. While the effect of soil microbes in decomposition has been well studied, the role of fungal microbes within the leaf, or foliar fungal endophytes, is largely unclear. In the present study, the relationship between endophyte abundance and litter mass loss was examined in the Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana). Total DNA and RNA was extracted, followed by next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to identify core endophyte species across geographic regions. Endophyte abundance was discovered to be positively correlated with mass loss, and endophytes OTU4 and OTU211 were most prevalent throughout all samples. In addition, based on open-source data, OTU4 has not been previously discovered in Southern California, where the samples were collected. This understanding of plant decomposition and its relevance to the global carbon cycle is essential, particularly in the current climate change era.

Competition history

• JSHS 2023 Category not listed

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• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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