The effects of orchidmycorrhizal fungi on development and germination of orchids seeds

44 SUMMARY The main goal of this study was to identify the mycorrhizal fungi on the root of salep orchids and to investigate the effects on the germination of orchid seeds. The project was carried out in the Eastern Mediterrenean region in 1993 and 1994. In this region, 14 different orchid species were obtained during surveys. 2 Rhizoctonia isolate, which belongs to R.solani and 6 other different fungus isolates isolated from the rhizosfer of these orchid species. Only one R.solani isolate called Rh-1 was used to test the effects of the fungus on the germination of the seeds and on the seedling developments. Fungus genara isolated from orchids were identified as Trichoderma sp., Fusarium spp., Macrophomina sp., Absidia sp. and some were as Pythiaceous fungi. The effects of R. solani isolates on the germination were tested in petri dishes containing Knudson nutrient solution. Seeds of Orchis coriophora and Ophrys vernixia germinated and showed some seedling development in the presence of Rh-1 while controls did not show any germination or protocorm development. Howewer the presence of R.solani stimulated the germination of Orchis anatolica but no seedling development observed. Mycorrhizal relationship between Orchis coriophora and Rhizoctonia solani was observed on oat-meal medium as well as Knudson medium. In this trials, orchid seeds germinated and healthy seedlings developed. Some of the germination tests were carried out using soil from the rhizospher of orchids in experimental pots. The seeds were periodically checked was seen in terms of germination or other developmental changes.