SEM AND PCR study of Mycorrhizal fungi isolated from the Australian Terrestrial Orchid: Prasophyllum

Abstract

Most members of the genus Prasophyllum (Leek Orchids) are threatened and restricted in distribution in Australia. Prasophyllum species are obligate mycotrophic plants and current conservation proto- cols for terrestrial orchids in Australia require propa- gation with symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi. Unfortunately there is a paucity of knowledge regard- ing the mycosymbiont in this genus, hampering con- servation and re-introduction efforts.