Fungal Diversity A novel technique for isolating orchid mycorrhizal fungi

We describe a technique for isolating mycorrhizal fungi from roots of orchids. This technique involves selection and treatment of roots, preparation of pelotons, treatment of pelotons, culture of pelotons so that fungal hyphae grow out and strain purification. The technique is considered better because 1) problems of fungal and bacterial contamination are resolved, 2) endophytic bacteria are suppressed and also used to promote hyphal growth from the pelotons, 3) live and dead pelotons, and those from which fungi are culturable or unculturable can easily be identified, providing increased isolation efficiency, 4) a single taxon can be isolated from a single peloton containing several mycorrhizal taxa, 5) slow-growing mycorrhizal taxa can easily be isolated. The implications and potential use of this technique in future studies is discussed.