Background: Mycoheterotrophic plants are one of the most difficult plant groups to conserve because they are entirely dependent on symbiotic fungi. Establishment of viable culture systems would greatly aid their conservation. We describe a simple culture system for the mycoheterotrophic orchid, Gastrodia pubilabiata, that does not require laboratory facilities. The orchid is symbiotic with leaf-litter-decomposing fungi.
Results: Gastrodia pubilabiata seeds were incubated in plastic boxes or glass bottles filled with leaf litter collected from the natural habitat of the species. Seed germination was observed after 35 days and seedling development followed. Fungal isolates from seedlings were identified as Mycenaceae (Basidiomycota), a leaf-litter-decomposing mycorrhizal fungus of Gastrodia species.
Conclusion: Our method can be used to conserve endangered mycoheterotrophic plants associated with leaf litter-decomposing fungi efficiently, and can also serve as a model system for physiological and molecular studies of such plants.
Keywords: Conservation; Gastrodia; Leaf litter-decomposing fungi; Mycoheterotrophic plants.