Fungal diversity and network analysis in rhizosphere soil of Atractylodes macrocephala across different cultivation regions

This study investigated the impact of rhizosphere fungi on the quality of Atractylodes macrocephala in China by analyzing the physical and chemical properties, enzyme activities, and community structures of soil samples from four distinct regions: Pan'an (PA), Bozhou (BZ), Zhoukou (ZK), and Anguo (AG). The results indicated that both biomass and active components of A. macrocephala were significantly higher in authentic production areas compared to emerging ones. The rhizosphere soil network in PA, identified as an authentic production area, exhibited the most complex structure, with pH levels significantly negatively correlated with 12 major fungal genera. Notably, fungi such as Rozellomycota, Mortierella, and Basidiomycota were linked to the quality of A. macrocephala through their roles in organic matter decomposition. Additionally, Saitozyma was found to be a central component of the rhizosphere fungal community, with a relative abundance of 2.19%, markedly higher than in emerging production areas (< 0.1%). These findings provide critical insights into the factors affecting A. macrocephala quality across different regions, offering valuable guidance for the sustainable cultivation of this essential medicinal plant in China.