Co-Cultures of Mycorrhizal Fungi Do Not Increase Germination and Seedling Development in the Epiphytic Orchid Dendrobium nobile.

ABSTRACT: Orchids are highly dependent on mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination and subsequent growth to a seedling as they provide essential carbon, water, and mineral nutrients to developing seeds. Although there is mounting evidence that orchid seeds are often colonized by multiple fungi simultaneously, most in vitro germination experiments focus on mycorrhizal monocultures and little is known about how mycorrhizal assemblages affect seed germination and growth of seedlings. In this study, we compared the effects of mycorrhizal monocultures and co-cultures on seed germination and seedling growth of the epiphytic orchid Dendrobium nobile. In situ baiting was used to isolate mycorrhizal fungi from protocorms for germination experiments. Germination experiments were conducted u

SUBMITTER: Shao SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7644947 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature