Why Plants Harbor Complex Endophytic Fungal Communities: Insights From Perennial Bunchgrass Stipagrostis sabulicola in the Namib Sand Sea

Researchers have uncovered that perennial plants, such as the Namib Sand Sea's Stipagrostis sabulicola, harbor complex endophytic fungal communities primarily composed of latent saprophytes. These fungi, dormant within living plants, play a crucial role in nutrient recycling by initiating decomposition of standing litter shortly after senescence, often triggered by non-rainfall moisture events like fog or dew. Through laboratory and field experiments, the study demonstrated that tillers with endophytes decomposed twice as fast as sterilized ones, with 59–70% of the fungal community comprising these dual-niche saprophytes. This finding provides a plausible explanation for why plants tolerate complex endophyte communities, highlighting their role in maximizing nutrient recycling and contributing to the nutrient island effect in drylands.

Wenndt, A. J., Evans, S. E., van Diepeningen, A. D., Logan, J. R., Jacobson, P. J., Seely, M. K., & Jacobson, K. M. (2021). Why Plants Harbor Complex Endophytic Fungal Communities: Insights From Perennial Bunchgrass Stipagrostis sabulicola in the Namib Sand Sea. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.691584