Fungal root endophytes influence plants in a species?specific manner that depends on plant's growth stage

The mycobiome (fungal microbiome) influences plants—from seed germination to full maturation. While many studies on fungal-plant interaction have focused known mutualistic and pathogenic fungi, the functional role of ubiquitous endophytic fungi remains little explored. We examined how root-inhabiting (endophytes) influence range-expanding plant species. isolated endophytes from three European intra-continental range-expanders congenerics that are native both in range expander's original (southern Europe) new (northern range. To standardize our collection, were obtained all six species growing under controlled conditions northern (new expander) southern (native soils. cultivated, molecularly identified tested effects isolates germination, growth seedlings older plants. Most 34 could not be functionally characterized based their taxonomic identity literature information functions. Endophytes affected a species–endophyte-specific manner, but overall differed between natives. reduced compared natives, they seedling natives more than range-expanders. Synthesis. conclude direct effect stage-dependent manner. these expanders strength significance varied among genera included present study. Nevertheless, likely establishment newly arriving plants vegetation dynamics.