Diversity of endophytic bacteria in pedicel of Camellia reticulate Lindl

【Objective】 This paper explored the endophytic bacterial community structure and diversity of the pedicel of Camellia reticulate Lindl,so as to provide scientific basis for the selection and utilization of beneficial bacteria in the pedicel of C. reticulate.【Method】 The pedicels of C. reticulate at 12 and 60 years old were collected to investigate the diversity and community structure of endophytic bacteria based on high-throughput sequencing technology.【Result】 Operational taxonomic unit OTU and α-diversity analysis revealed that there were differences in abundance and species composition of endophytic bacteria in pedicels of C. reticulate of two tree ages. Four bacterial phyla were detected in both tree ages of pedicels of C. reticulate. Among them,the Proteobacteria was the most abundant,accounting for more than 60% in both groups. The specific bacterial genera of 60 years old group were Actinoplanes,unclassified_f_Micromonosporaceae, unclassified_f_Methylococcaceae,and the dominant bacterial genera were Sphingomonas,Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum,1174-901-12,Amnibacterium and Kineosporia. The dominant bacterial genera of 12 years old C. reticulate were 1174-901-12,Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum. The relative abundance of some endophytic bacteria in the two groups showed significant differences at the phylum and genus levels (P<0.05,the same below). The gene functions of endophytic bacteria in pedicels of C. reticulate mainly involved carbohydrate metabolism,amino acid metabolism,energy metabolism,etc.【Conclusion】 The pedicels of C. reticulate contain abundant endophytic bacteria. The diversity and abundance of endophytic bacteria significantly increase and the species and abundance of dominant bacteria also change in the pedicels of older C. reticulate. Tree age should be considered when excavating and utilizing functional strains of C. reticulate.