Endophytic Microbiota of Diverse Apple Cultivars Reveals Cultivar-specific Microbial Associations

Abstract

Endophytic fungi are key components of plant microbiomes, contributing to host health, stress tolerance, and ecological adaptability. In apple (Malus domestica), the diversity and distribution of endophytic communities may be influenced by host genotype, yet comprehensive assessments across cultivars remain limited. This study investigates the culturable fungal endophytic communities associated with diverse apple cultivars to evaluate patterns of microbial diversity, community structure, and potential cultivar-specific associations. Culturable fungi were isolated, identified, and analyzed using a combination of morphological characterization and multivariate statistical tools. Community diversity metrics, relative abundance profiling, and ordination analyses were employed to explore fungal composition and interspecies relationships. The findings provide insights into the influence of host cultivar on the assembly of endophytic fungal communities and contribute to a broader understanding of plant–microbe interactions. This work lays the foundation for future microbiome-informed strategies aimed at enhancing sustainable apple cultivation.