Are Helleborine Orchids Epiparasitic Upon Ectomycorrhizal Associations?
Cornelia Meyer (Univ. of Bayreuth) planting out seed to study Cephalanthera (Orchidaceae) germination in Hampshire.
The hypothesis that symbiotic germination in the genera Cephalanthera and Epipactis is dependent upon colonisation by ectomycorrhizal rather than Rhizoctonia-type fungi and that the symbionts of these helleborine orchids are co-associated with neighbouring woody autotrophs will be tested. Seeds of selected species will be buried in recoverable packets at locations adjacent to and at distance from putative co-hosts of these fungi enabling chronological analysis of germination and seedling development. Symbionts will be identified by molecular methods, and where possible, isolated for use in mycorrhizal syntheses with co-hosts. Elucidation of these germination requirements will contribute to conservation strategies for nationally rare species.
This project is funded for three years from 2004-2006, with Prof. David Read (University of Sheffield) as Principal Investigator, and collaboration with Peter Carey (CEH Monks Wood) and RBG Kew. Expected outcomes include a peer-reviewed publication.
Project Team
Project Leader: Bidartondo, Martin
Jodrell Laboratory
Martin Bidartondo
Project Partners and Collaborators
Germany
University of Bayreuth
UK
CEH Monks Wood
University of Sheffield