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Colonization patterns of mycorrhizal fungi associated with two rare orchids, Cephalanthera falcata and C. erecta
Author(s) -
Matsuda Yosuke,
Amiya Aya,
Ito Shinichiro
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1007/s11284-008-0575-0
Subject(s) - biology , botany , colonization , phylogenetic tree , mycorrhizal fungi , threatened species , mycorrhiza , symbiosis , ecology , inoculation , horticulture , habitat , biochemistry , genetics , bacteria , gene
We investigated the spatial distribution and taxonomic identity of mycorrhizal fungi colonizing the root systems of two threatened Cephalanthera species, C. falcata and C. erecta , in naturally regenerated forests. Peloton formation was observed in both plant species, confirming the existence of orchid mycorrhizas. For C. falcata , mycorrhization was significantly different among individuals, ranging from 14 to 63%, and no significant difference among C. erecta individuals was detected (57–68%). Mycorrhization among three growth directions of roots and between orchid species was not significantly different. The spatial distribution of mycorrhizas in both orchids showed significant differences, being most frequent at an apical position. Based on DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, we inferred that the families Thelephoraceae and Sebacinaceae were mycobionts for C. falcata and Thelephoraceae for C. erecta . Our findings indicated that mycorrhizal colonization occurs at a distal position from the base of these orchid root systems and that mycorrhizal fungi are restricted to few ectomycorrhizal fungal families.