In situ seedling baiting to isolate plant growth-promoting fungi from Dendrobium officinale, an over-collected medicinal orchid in China

Orchids highly depend on mycorrhizae for survival and growth. Traditionally, to obtain orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMFs) plant growth, have been isolated from the roots of mature wild plants; however, fungal partners engaged may change through ontogeny, those species that over-collected extirpation, it’s almost impossible take samples plants. In this study, we developed idea using in situ seedling baiting capture growth-promoting Dendrobium officinale, an medicinal China. vitro-produced seedlings D. officinale were transplanted into their original habitats. Newly established sampled six times during one year, five Tulasnella Fusarium obtained identified morphologically molecularly. Three isolates used vitro inoculation showed different impact despite close phylogenetic relatedness. One isolate a strong ability promote growth could be selected use restoration plantings officinale. Our results suggest technique efficient way fungi, approach broad applications mycorrhiza studies conservation.