Endophytes of Serapias parviflora Parl. and Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall. (Orchidaceae): description of endophytes of S. parviflora, and in vitro symbiosis development in S. parviflora and Spiranthes spiralis

Abstract

 E n d o p h y t e s w e r e i s o l a t e d f r o m S e r a p i a s p a r v i f l o r a ( O r c h i d a c e a e ) r o o t s . T h e y a r e described and partially classified under microscope, after growth on PDA. Two fungi had symbiotic characters: A-Sepa-1, an ascomycete, and B-Sepa-1, a basidiomycete. At the same time, many plants of S. parviflora and Spiranthes spiralis were asymbiotically obtained by sterilisation of seeds and sowing on modified Frosch medium. After transplantation to symbiotic medium (modified Basic Oats), they were inoculated with isolated fungi. Serapias parviflora was used as control and S. spi ralis was used to establish specificity between hosts and endophytes. The two fungi were able to induce symbiosis in S. parviflora roots in vitro, while only B-Sepa-1 induced symbiosis in S. spiralis roots in vitro. We conclude that specificity between these fungi and the two orchid species studied in vitro is different, possibly substantiating the hypothesis of a potential and ecological specificity.