Effects of Inoculation with Symbiotic Fungi Isolated from Orchid Roots on the Growth of Calanthe discolor Seedlings

Orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) and endophytic fungi isolated from the roots of orchid species Calanthe discolor and Cephalanthera longibracteata were inoculated onto C. discolor seedlings to examine the effects of symbiotic fungi on orchid growth. Seedlings were inoculated with nine fungal strains representing eight species and cultured for 140 days. Root and leaf growth, as well as fresh weight, were measured. The OMF species Ceratobasidium sp. and three endophytic fungal species Diaporthe hongkongensis, Pezicula ericae, and Phialocephala fortinii significantly increased seedling growth. These results indicate the potential value of orchid-symbiotic fungi to aid in the conservation and restoration of endangered and rare orchids.