Constraints to Symbiotic Germination of Terrestrial Orchid Seed in a Mediterranean Bushland

• The dependence of seeds of terrestrial orchids on specific fungi for germination provides a means of locating these fungi in the wild and to investigate the role of appropriate fungi in the germination of orchid seed and development of seedlings under natural field conditions. • Seed baits, compri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The New phytologist 2001-12, Vol.152 (3), p.511-520
Main Authors: Batty, A. L., Dixon, K. W., Brundrett, M., Sivasithamparam, K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Caladenia arenicola
conservation
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fungi
Germination
Germination and dormancy
mycorrhiza
orchid distribution
Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking
Plant physiology and development
Plants
Protocorms
rare plants
Seed germination
Seedlings
Seeds
Soil fungi
south‐western Australia
Symbiosis
symbiotic seed germination
terrestrial orchid
Tubers
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Summary:• The dependence of seeds of terrestrial orchids on specific fungi for germination provides a means of locating these fungi in the wild and to investigate the role of appropriate fungi in the germination of orchid seed and development of seedlings under natural field conditions. • Seed baits, comprising orchid (Caladenia arenicola) seed enclosed in fine nylon mesh, were placed at sample points along four transects through two orchid populations in bushland in Western Australia. Seed germination was scored and compared with adult orchid plant distribution and soil factors. • A small fraction of available seed (< 1%) germinated to a stage of tuber formation where survival over the subsequent dry season would have been possible. Germination increased in the vicinity of adult C. arenicola plants, but other factors, such as soil potassium levels and presence of leaf litter, were also correlated with seed germination. • The measurement of the spatial variability in germination events within an orchid habitat demonstrated the availability of new recruitment sites. This information is required to assess the natural recruitment capacity and the potential for orchid reintroduction in natural habitats.
ISSN:0028-646X
1469-8137
DOI:10.1046/j.0028-646X.2001.00277.x