Sains Malaysiana 40(5)(2011): 451–455

Variation in Mycorrhizal Specificity for In Vitro Symbiotic Seed Germination of Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume

(Variasi dalam Pengkhususan Mikoriza bagi Percambahan Simbiosis In vitro Benih Grammatophyllum speciosumBlume)

H. A. B. Salifah, M. Muskhazli*, G. Rusea & P. Nithiyaa

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor D.E., Malaysia

Received: 3 March 2010 / Accepted: 7 July 2010

ABSTRACT

Grammatophyllum seeds are minute and lack endosperm. As with their other orchids counterpart, the seeds are dependent on mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination in nature. The ability to uptake nutrients from substrate is assisted by preferable fungal symbionts. Seeds of Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume. were used to determine the specificity of its fungus relationship using fungi isolated from roots of G. speciosum, G. stapeliiflorum and G. scriptum. A total of 31 different species of fungus was isolated and inoculated onto G. speciosum seed on Oat Meal Agar (OMA). The result obtained from the test demonstrated that seed germination rates were best when co-cultured with Fusarium sp. number 3 isolated from G. speciosum. An increment in 63.3% was measured when compared to the seed’s original size. The seed can also germinate when inoculated with fungus isolated from different species, implying that G. speciosum is a generalist in its association with fungal symbionts.

Keywords: Epiphytic orchid; germination; seed viability; specificity

ABSTRAK

Biji benihGrammatophyllum sangat kecil dan kurang kandungan endosperma. Seperti mana orkid yang lain, biji benihnya bergantung kepada kulat mikoriza untuk percambahan secara semula jadi. Kebolehan untuk mendapatkan nutrien dari substrat adalah dibantu dengan simbiosis kulat yang terpilih. Biji benihGrammatophyllum speciosum Bl. telah digunakan bagi menentukan pengkhususan perhubungan kulatnya dengan menggunakan kulat yang dipencilkan dari akarG. speciosum, G. stapeliiflorum dan G. scriptum. Sejumlah 31 spesies berbeza telah dipencilkan dan diinokulat ke atas biji benihG. speciosum menggunakan ‘Oat Meal Agar’ (OMA). Keputusan yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahawa kadar percambahan biji benih yang baik diperoleh apabila benih dikultur denganFusarium sp. nombor 3 yang dipencilkan daripadaG. speciosum, dengan penambahan saiz sebanyak 63.3% berbanding dengan saiz asal biji benih. Biji benih juga boleh bercambah dengan inokulasi bersama spesis kulat yang lain, menunjukkan bahawaG. speciosum adalah bersifat am dalam hubungkait simbiosisnya dengan kulat.

Kata kunci: Kelangsungan benih; orkid epifit; pengkhususan; percambahan

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*Corresponding author; email: muskhazli@science.upm.edu.my