Mycobiology.  2002 Mar;30(1):22-26.

Physiological Characteristics of Symbiotic Fungi Associated with the Seed Germination of Gastrodia elata

• Hong IP
• Kim HK
• Park JS
• Kim GP
• Lee MW
• Guo SX

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the possibility for seeds germination of Gastrodia elata using symbiotic fungi. Since seeds of G. elata are very small and lack an endosperm and other nutrients, their germination is difficult without requirement for external nutrients. Out of twenty six isolates collected from protocorms of G. elata and roots of native orchids inhabited in wild, two strains (H-2 and H-21) were observed to stimulate the seed germination of G. elata. The seed germination of G. elata was excellent on oak tree leaves medium. The optimal conditions for mycelial growth of symbiotic fungi were 25degrees C and pH 6.0, respectively. The mycelial growth of H-2 strain was excellent on YMA medium, while H-21 was poor on PDA medium. In case of carbon sources, the mycelial growth of H-2 and H-21 was good on media supplemented with glucose and dextrin, respectively. Calcium nitrate was good for mycelial growth of H-2 strain as a nitrogen sources, whereas urea was effective to H-21 strain.

Keyword

Gastrodia elata; Mycelial growth; Seeds germination

MeSH Terms

Calcium
Carbon
Endosperm
Fungi*
Gastrodia*
Germination*
Glucose
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Nitrogen
Quercus
Urea
Calcium
Carbon
Glucose
Nitrogen
Urea