Floccularia luteovirensmodulates the growth of alpine meadow plants and affects soil metabolite accumulation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Aims Plant diversity and coverage on the basidiomycete fungusFloccularia luteovirensfairy rings are higher than those outside of the fairy rings, indicating a favorable role ofF. luteovirensin the growth of alpine meadow plants on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms ofF. luteovirens-mediated plant growth and environmental adaptation remain largely unclear. Methods Here, the growth and metabolic profiles of two alpine meadow plants which are the dominant plant species growing onF. luteovirensfairy rings (Kobresia humilisandOxytropis coerulea), were investigated via physiological and metabolomic analyses. Results F. luteovirensincreases nutrient element accumulation in plants and improves the growth of the aboveground tissues but reduces the root growth of alpine meadow plants. Metabolomic analysis revealed thatF. luteovirensreprograms carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism and affects the levels of organic acids and flavonoids, thereby modulating the growth and environmental adaptation of plants. Conclusions Together, these results suggest thatF. luteovirenspromotes aboveground growth by modulating nutrient uptake and regulating metabolism in plants. These findings help to further elucidate the role of this edible mushroom fungus in influencing alpine meadow vegetation.