Identification of mycorrhizal fungi from single pelotons of Dactylorhiza majalis (Orchidaceae) using single-strand conformation polymorphism and mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit DNA sequences

The mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit (Ls) DNA was used to identify the orchid mycorrhizal fungi found in roots of Dactylorhiza majalis. The gene was amplified using DNA extracted from single pelotons obtained from fresh and silica gel dried roots. Furthermore, sequencing a variety of well-characterized orchid isolates expanded the fungal database of the mitochondrial ribosomal LsDNA. Polymerase chain reaction product length variants present in D. majalis were sequenced and identified using the expanded database. These analyses revealed two different peloton-forming fungi in samples from D. majalis, which sometimes occurred together as a single two-taxa peloton within the same cortex cell. The first taxon belonged to the genus Tulasnella and the second taxon was distantly related to Laccaria.     

Mycorrhizal association and morphology in orchids

We investigated the mycorrhizal associations in 31 adult wild or cultivated green orchids (22 epiphytic, 8 terrestrial, and 1 species with both epiphytic and lithophytic life-forms) from different vegetation types of Western Ghats, southern India. All the orchids examined were mycorrhizal with the extent of colonization varying with species and life-forms. Mycorrhizal association has been reported for the first time in 25 orchids. The entry of mycorrhizal fungi into the roots was mostly through root hairs. In certain epiphytic species, the fungal entry was directly through the epidermis. The fungi formed highly coiled hyphal structures (pelotons) within the root cortex, and their size was related to the cell size. The fungal invasion of the cortical cells was through cell-to-cell penetration. The cortical cells contained intact and lysed pelotons, and their ratio varied with species and life-forms. No significant relationship existed between root hair characteristics and the extent of colonization. Chlamydospores and microsclerotia-like structure were frequently found within the cortical and root hair cells. The liberation of fungal reproductive structures was by spiral dehiscence of the root hairs.     

七叶一枝花根的显微结构及其内生真菌分布研究

本文采用石蜡永久制片和光学显微摄像的方法对七叶一枝花Parispolyphylla根的显微结构及其内生真菌的分布进行了研究。结果表明,七叶一枝花的根茎由栓皮层、薄壁组织及维管组织组成,其中栓皮层由4层细胞组成;薄壁组织的细胞含有丰富的营养物质,其内有时分布有针状结晶束。不定根由表皮层、皮层、内皮层及维管束构成,表皮上有根毛,皮层所占根径的比例达80%以上;木质部为三原型。在七叶一枝花的根茎和不定根的皮层细胞中均有内生真菌的分布。真菌由表皮、外皮层侵入到皮层薄壁组织,在皮层薄壁细胞中形成菌丝结,并扩展成一定的侵染区域,部分皮层细胞中菌丝结已被消化吸收。内生真菌只侵染皮层薄壁细胞,不侵染维管柱。七叶一枝花可以通过消化细胞内的菌丝作为营养的来源之一。