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Aims <p>Global climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of droughts, posing a serious threat to dioecious <i>Populus euphratica</i>, a desert plant dependent on water. The phyllosphere microbial communities of <i>P. euphratica</i> are particularly sensitive to drought stress. However, it is unclear how unique climate sensitivities of females and males affect the resistance and functional stability of phyllosphere microbiota in response to climate changes. This study aims to examine sex-related differences in drought resistance of <i>P. euphratica</i> phyllosphere fungal communities and their consequences for leaf functional stability.&#xa0;</p> Methods <p>We profiled the phyllosphere fungal communities and metabolomes of <i>P. euphratica</i> females and males using a controlled field irrigation experiment in the Tarim Basin (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China).</p> Results <p>The phyllosphere fungal communities of <i>P. euphratica</i> males exhibited stronger resistance than those of females, as assessed by a composite resistance index incorporating species diversity, community structure, phylogenetic conservatism, and network complexity. Specific phylotypes were the principal contributors to this resistance, outweighing common phylotypes. Metabolomic analysis showed that drought-enriched metabolites played a critical role in shaping special phylotypes. Additionally, the drought resistance of phyllosphere fungi was positively correlated with leaf functional stability.</p> Conclusions <p>This study advances our understanding of how sex-specific phyllosphere fungi influence drought resistance and leaf function in dioecious <i>P. euphratica</i>, providing a scientific basis for optimizing sex ratios and managing leaf fungi to enhance ecosystem restoration and stability under climate change.</p>

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Phyllosphere-specific fungal phylotypes enhance drought resistance to maintain functional stability in Populus euphratica

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月25日

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  • Beibei Chen,
  • Juntuan Zhai,
  • Jiajia Sun,
  • Yifei Cui,
  • Waqar Ali,
  • Zhichao Xia

摘要

Aims

Global climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of droughts, posing a serious threat to dioecious Populus euphratica, a desert plant dependent on water. The phyllosphere microbial communities of P. euphratica are particularly sensitive to drought stress. However, it is unclear how unique climate sensitivities of females and males affect the resistance and functional stability of phyllosphere microbiota in response to climate changes. This study aims to examine sex-related differences in drought resistance of P. euphratica phyllosphere fungal communities and their consequences for leaf functional stability. 

Methods

We profiled the phyllosphere fungal communities and metabolomes of P. euphratica females and males using a controlled field irrigation experiment in the Tarim Basin (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China).

Results

The phyllosphere fungal communities of P. euphratica males exhibited stronger resistance than those of females, as assessed by a composite resistance index incorporating species diversity, community structure, phylogenetic conservatism, and network complexity. Specific phylotypes were the principal contributors to this resistance, outweighing common phylotypes. Metabolomic analysis showed that drought-enriched metabolites played a critical role in shaping special phylotypes. Additionally, the drought resistance of phyllosphere fungi was positively correlated with leaf functional stability.

Conclusions

This study advances our understanding of how sex-specific phyllosphere fungi influence drought resistance and leaf function in dioecious P. euphratica, providing a scientific basis for optimizing sex ratios and managing leaf fungi to enhance ecosystem restoration and stability under climate change.