Leaching alleviates phenol-mediated root rot in Panax notoginseng by modifying the soil microbiota

Background and aims Overaccumulation of allelochemicals in soil from trees has a negative effect on the growth of Panax notoginseng and cause root rot. Many plant secreted phenols are water-soluble substances that can be depleted by leaching. However, comprehensive understanding of the effect of leaching of phenols in Chinese fir soil on P. notoginseng root rot disease is still lacking. Methods Soil with high level of phenols was leached with five intensities and their effect on the root rot of P. notoginseng was assessed. Then, the relationship of root rot with changes in soil chemical properties and phenol content as well as rhizospheric microorganisms was analyzed. Results With increasing leaching intensity, the levels of phenols in soils and the incidence of root rot decreased significantly. Decreased phenol content could alleviate root rot by modifying the soil microbial community. Network analysis showed that root rot incidence was positively correlated with the p-hydroxybenzoic acid-enriched pathogenic fungus Ilyonectria but negatively correlated with p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HA)-, ferulic acid (FA)- or vanillic acid (VA)-suppressed bacteria, including Sphingomonas , Lysobacter , Massilia and Burkholderia . Culture experiments confirmed that individual HA, FA and VA as well as a mixture of the five phenols with increasing concentrations could stimulate the growth and sporulation of I. destructans but suppress the growth and biofilm formation of bacteria ( Burkholderia and Lysobacter ). Moreover, Burkholderia isolates showed antagonistic activity against the growth of I. destructans . Conclusions Leaching could relieve the stimulation of pathogenic fungi by phenols and reduce the pressure on phenolic-suppressed bacteria, thereby reducing the incidence of root rot disease.