Continuous monoculture alters the fungal community and accumulates potential pathogenic strains in the rhizosphere of Codonopsis pilosula

Codonopsis pilosula (known as dangshen) is experiencing a serious replant disease caused by continuous monoculture in its main and endemic cultivation region in Dingxi, China. In this study, changes in physicochemical properties, fungal microbiomes, and isolated strains were investigated in the rhizosphere soil of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year continuous monoculture natural fields. It was observed that wilted seedlings and a variety of root rot diseases occurred after the third year of continuous monoculture in the field. The soil-available potassium content and the pH value decreased significantly in the 3- and 5-year fields. Using Illumina sequencing, it was demonstrated that the 3- and 5-year fields had a higher diversity of fungal communities compared with the 1- and 2-year fields. At the genus level, abundance of some potentially pathogenic fungal taxa also increased. A total of 33 isolated strains belonging to the Fusarium species complexes Plectosphaerella cucumerina, Paraphoma ledniceana, Alternaria alstroemeriae, Mucor hiemalis, and Clonostachys rosea were obtained from the roots in 3- and 5-year fields. The correlation analysis revealed that the abundance of the fungal community at the genus level was positively correlated with the available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and soil organic matter. The results revealed that continuous monoculture has a negative impact on the fungal community and enriches potential pathogenic fungi in the rhizosphere of C. pilosula.