Interaction between Endophytic Fungi and Seedlings of Two Species of Paphiopedilum during Symbiotic Culture

Abstract

Two fungi PM-1 and PA-1 were isolated from P.micranthum and P.armeniacum,respectively,the former belonged to Epulorhiza while the latter belonged to Tulasnella calospora.In this study,seedlings of P.armeniacum and P.micranthum were inoculated with PM-1 on DE medium,the biomass and the content of Ca,Mn of both P.armeniacum and P.micranthum seedlings were higher than those in the control seedlings,which indicated that PM-1 could improve the growth of those species.Seedlings of P.armeniacum and P.micranthum were inoculated with PA-1 on DE medium,the biomass in both species was no difference with those in the control ones.But PA-1 enhanced the dry weight of P.armeniacum according to the rate of dry weight increase.The impact of PM-1 on P.micranthum was higher than on P.armeniacum,while PA-1 impacted conversely,which demonstrated that fungi had stronger improving effect only on its own host plants instead of any other orchids.P.armeniacum seedlings were inoculated with PM-1 and PA-1 on Harvais medium.The growth of seedlings was inhibited by fungi.The results indicated that nutrient level of medium played an important role in affecting the symbiotic relationship between P.armeniacum seedings and endophytic fungi.Poor-nutrient medium was beneficial to the symbiotic relationship and nutrient-rich medium was not conducive to the symbiosis.