Diversity of endophytic bacteria in Paris Polyphylla var. yunnanensis and their correlation with polyphyllin content

Background Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (PPY) is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine formulas and folk families. Nearly more than 100 chemical substances with medicinal values have been reported in PPY, among which steroidal saponins are the main active components. Due to its long growth cycle, the resource of PPY has become too scarce, and the current production capacity of PPY is still far from meeting the market demand. Numerous studies have shown that endophytic bacteria not only promote the production of secondary metabolites in the host plant, but some of them are also able to produce the same secondary metabolites as the host. However, little is known about the endophytic bacteria associated with PPY in different geographic conditions and tissues. In order to compare the endophytic bacterial communities associated with PPY in different geographic conditions and plant tissues, the endophytic bacteria from roots, stems, and leaves of PPY collected from five locations were isolated, and the diversity, richness, and homogeneity of bacterial communities were analyzed, and the dominant genera correlation with polyphyllin content was further investigated. Results A total of 268 endophytic bacterial strains were isolated and identified from PPY. The experimental results showed that the isolates belonged to 5 phyla, 7 classes, 14 orders and 39 genera of bacteria, of which the dominant order was Bacillariophyta and the dominant genera were Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Agrobacterium. In general, the differences in the distribution pattern and diversity of endophytic bacteria in PPY were characterized by the highest diversity and richness index of endophytic bacterial communities in Er yuan Qisheng (QS) and the highest evenness index in Dali Fengyi (FY). The diversity, richness and evenness of bacterial communities in terms of tissue state showed a hierarchical pattern of root > stem > leaf. The three optimal genera were positively correlated with polyphyllin content. Conclusion The distribution pattern and diversity of endophytic bacteria in PPY were influenced by tissue type and habitat. In addition, three endophytic bacteria (Pseudomonas, Bacllius and Agrobacterium) were positively correlated with the content of polyphylin.