Mycorrhizal Compatibility and Germination-Promoting Activity of <i>Tulasnella</i> Species in Two Species of Orchid (<i>Cymbidium mannii</i> and <i>Epidendrum radicans</i>)

In nature, Orchidaceae seeds establish a relationship with orchid mycorrhizal fungi to obtain essential nutrients for germination. The orchids, <i>Cymbidium mannii</i> and <i>Epidendrum radicans</i>, have significant ornamental and economic value. We isolated and cultured myc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Qianyu Yang, Lijun Xu, Wei Xia, Lixiong Liang, Xiao Bai, Lubin Li, Lu Xu, Lei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-11-01
Series:Horticulturae
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/7/11/472
Description
Summary:In nature, Orchidaceae seeds establish a relationship with orchid mycorrhizal fungi to obtain essential nutrients for germination. The orchids, <i>Cymbidium mannii</i> and <i>Epidendrum radicans</i>, have significant ornamental and economic value. We isolated and cultured mycorrhizal fungi from <i>C. mannii</i>, <i>E. radicans,</i> and <i>C. goeringii</i> roots. Three strains of fungi, <i>Tulasnella calospora</i> (Tca), <i>T. asymmetrica</i> (Tas), and <i>T. bifrons</i> (Tbi), were identified using ITS-rDNA sequencing. Their mycorrhizal compatibility, germination-promoting effects, and symbiosis with the seeds of <i>C. mannii</i> and <i>E. radicans</i> were studied in vitro using various concentrations of oatmeal agar (OA) medium. Tca exhibited significant seed-germination-promoting effects on <i>C. mannii</i> (92.1%) and <i>E. radicans</i> (84.7%) on 2.0 and 4.0 g/L OA, respectively. For Tbi and Tas, the highest germination percentages were observed on 4.0 g/L OA in <i>E. radicans</i> (73.60% and 76.49%, respectively). Seed germination in <i>C. mannii</i> was enhanced by high oatmeal concentrations (8.0 and 12.0 g/L) during symbiosis with Tas, whereas Tbi had no effect regardless of OA concentration. Tca exhibited high compatibility with <i>C. mannii</i> and <i>E. radicans</i>, and the oatmeal concentration of the medium affected this compatibility. The findings of this study will aid in the propagation of endangered orchid species for conservation and commercial purposes using mycorrhizal technology.
ISSN:2311-7524