Orchid mycorrhizas: Molecular ecology, physiology, evolution and conservation aspects

Abstract

Scientific interest in orchid mycorrhizas, the symbiotic association between orchid roots and fungi, continues to grow. Advances in molecular identification techniques have enabled the detection of a wide array of fungal partners of orchids. The use of stable and radioactive isotopes has confirmed many of these associations and provided insight into the diversity of nutrient flow between symbionts. Fungal specificity patterns in orchids have been investigated in terms of their evolutionary and adaptive significances and their role in orchid speciation. An understanding of the mycorrhizal biology of rare orchid species is also essential for conservation procedures. This review is intended to provide an overview of contemporary approaches to studying orchid mycorrhizas. It elaborates on what has been gleaned from these studies with regards the ecology, physiology, evolution and conservation aspects of orchid mycorrhizas and highlights areas of the association that need further exploration.