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Molecular Evidence Supports Simultaneous Association of the Achlorophyllous Orchid Chamaegastrodia inverta with Ectomycorrhizal Ceratobasidiaceae and Russulaceae

Summary

This research examines how a rare Chinese orchid that cannot photosynthesize survives by forming partnerships with specific fungi in forest soils. The study discovered that this orchid species forms unique relationships with two different types of fungi simultaneously – something not seen before in similar plants. This finding helps us understand how plants can adapt to life without photosynthesis. Impacts on everyday life: – Demonstrates how organisms can survive through cooperative relationships in nature – Provides insights for conservation of rare plant species – Helps understand forest ecosystem relationships and interdependence – Could inform development of plant cultivation techniques – Advances our knowledge of plant adaptation and survival strategies

Background

Achlorophyllous orchids are mycoheterotrophic plants that lack photosynthetic ability and associate with fungi to acquire carbon from different environmental sources. In tropical latitudes, achlorophyllous forest orchids typically establish mycorrhizal relationships with saprotrophic fungi, though some have recently been found to associate with ectomycorrhizal fungi. There is still much to learn about the identity of fungi associated with tropical orchids.

Objective

To identify the main mycorrhizal partners of Chamaegastrodia inverta, an endangered orchid species endemic to southern China, in different plant life stages using morphological and molecular methods.

Results

Microscopy showed extensive fungal colonization forming pelotons in root cortical cells. Molecular analysis revealed that C. inverta primarily associated with ectomycorrhizal fungi from the family Ceratobasidiaceae, previously found in other mycoheterotrophic orchids. Russulaceae fungi, similar to the ectomycorrhizal genus Russula, were also identified in young seedling roots. Additional ascomycetous fungi including Chaetomium, Diaporthe, Leptodontidium, and Phomopsis genera, and zygomycetes in the genus Mortierella were isolated but had unclear functional roles.

Conclusion

This study provides the first assessment of root fungal diversity in the rare Chinese orchid C. inverta, revealing an unprecedented mixed association between this achlorophyllous forest orchid and ectomycorrhizal fungi from Ceratobasidiaceae and Russulaceae families. The dominance of ceratobasidioid fungi represents a new record of this rare association between these fungal groups and fully mycoheterotrophic orchids in nature.
  • Published in:BMC Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Original Research,
  • Source: 10.1186/s12866-020-01906-4
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