Variability in Nutrient Use by Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungi in Two Medium Types

Orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) from the rhizoctonia aggregate are generally considered to be soil saprotrophs, but their ability to utilize various nutrient sources has been studied in a limited number of isolates cultivated predominantly in liquid media, although rhizoctonia typically grow on the surface of solid substrates. Nine isolates representing the key OMF families (Ceratobasidiaceae, Tulasnellaceae and Serendipitaceae), sampled in Southern France and the Czech Republic, were tested for their ability to utilize carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) sources in vitro in both liquid and solid media. The isolates showed significant inter- and intra-familiar variability in nutrient utilization, most notably in N sources. Isolates produced generally larger amounts of dry biomass on solid medium than in liquid one, but some isolates showed no or limited biomass production on solid medium with particular nutrient sources. The largest amount of biomass was produced by isolates from the family Ceratobasidiaceae on most sources in both medium types. The biomass production of Tulasnellaceae isolates was affected by their phylogenetic relatedness on all sources and medium types. The ability of isolates to utilize particular nutrients in a liquid medium but not a solid one should be considered when optimizing solid media for symbiotic orchid seed germination and in understanding of OMF functional traits under in situ conditions.