Diverse Mycena Fungi and Their Potential for Gastrodia elata Germination

TL;DR

This study explores how different Mycena fungi affect the germination of Gastrodia elata, finding that certain species and geographic factors influence germination rates.

Contribution

The study identifies phylogenetic signals and geographic patterns in Mycena fungi associated with Gastrodia elata germination.

Findings

Mycena strains associated with Gastrodia elata belong to the Basidiospore amyloid group.

Mycena strains phylogenetically close to M. abramsii and M. polygramma show higher germination rates.

Mycena distribution varies by geographic site and Gastrodia elata variety.

Abstract

It remains to be determined whether there is a geographical distribution pattern and phylogenetic signals for the Mycena strains with seed germination of the orchid plant Gastrodia elata. This study analyzed the community composition and phylogenetics of 72 Mycena strains associated with G. elata varieties (G. elata. f. glauca and G. elata. f. viridis) using multiple gene fragments (ITS+nLSU+SSU). We found that (1) these diverse Mycena phylogenetically belong to the Basidiospore amyloid group. (2) There is a phylogenetic signal of Mycena for germination of G. elata. Those strains phylogenetically close to M. abramsii, M. polygramma, and an unclassified Mycena had significantly higher germination rates than those to M. citrinomarginata. (3) The Mycena distribution depends on geographic site and G. elata variety. Both unclassified Mycena group 1 and the M. abramsii group were dominant for the two varieties of G. elata; in contrast, the M. citrinomarginata group was dominant in G. elata f. glauca but absent in G. elata f. viridis. Our results indicate that the community composition of numerous Mycena resources in the Zhaotong area varies by geographical location and G. elata variety. Importantly, our results also indicate that Mycena’s phylogenetic status is correlated with its germination rate.

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