Bacterial Diversity in Roots, Stems, and Leaves of Chinese Medicinal Plant Paris polyphyllavar. yunnanensis

The root of Paris polyphyllavar. yunnanensis, a famous and endangered traditional Chinese herb, has a significant medicinal value. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition and functional characteristics of bacterial endophytes in roots, stems, and leaves of P. polyphyllavar. yunnanensis. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing and functional prediction of bacterial endophytes in roots, stems, and leaves of P. polyphyllavar. yunnanensiswere conducted. The Chao and Shannon indices of the bacteria in roots were significantly higher than those in stems and leaves. The dominant endophyte phyla were Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. The main genera detected in roots were unclassified Cyanobacteria, Rhizobium, Flavobacterium, and Sphingobium; the main genera in stems were norank_c__Cyanobacteria, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas; the main genera in leaves were norank_c__Cyanobacteriaand Rhizobium. The microbiota in roots was particularly enriched in functional categories “extracellular structures” and “cytoskeleton” compared with stems and leaves (p< 0.05). Our study reveals the structural and functional characteristics of the endophytic bacteria in roots, stems, and leaves of P. polyphyllavar. yunnanensis, which aids in the scientific understanding of this plant.