Cyrtopodium paludicolum germination with two Tulasnella isolates

Abstract

Symbiosis between orchid seeds and mycorrhizal fungi has been reported to be a determining factor in the success of germination and protocorm development in vitro. Th e aim of this study was to isolate and identify by molecular analysis the mycorrhizal fungus associated with Cyrtopodium paludicolum, and to evaluate its effi ciency in facilitating seed germination and development. Germination experiments were carried out using a fungus isolated from C. paludicolum (CH01) and Epidendrum secundum (M65), which has been successfully used a number of times in symbiotic germination. Th e experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with treatments of CH01, M65 as well as under asymbiotic conditions. Th e mycobiont CH01 was successfully isolated from Cyrtopodium paludicolum and identifi ed as Tulasnella sp. Treatments with both fungi reached a higher germination percentage than under asymbiotic conditions, indicating no specifi city in the relationship between Cyrtopodium paludicolum and the fungi. Th e results presented have the potential to advance research into the propagation and conservation of C. paludicolum, a native of the Cerrado biome.