Influence of host tree species on isolation and communities of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi from roots of a tropical epiphytic orchid, Dendrobium sinense (Orchidaceae)

Most studies on the host preference of orchids have focused on the association between orchids and host characteristics, but little is known about the differences of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungal communities in epiphytic orchids growing on different host tree species. We selected Dendrobium sinense, a tropical epiphytic orchid, to determine if fungal endophytes from the roots of D. sinense were preferentially correlated with host tree species. Fifty-six fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from 36 host trees were identified. The results indicated that the species richness and diversity of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungal communities isolated from D. sinense roots were strongly influenced by host tree species. Both species richness and diversity indices showed that D. sinense roots on Syzygium buxifolium harbored the most diverse and abundant endophytic fungi. Species of Tulasnellaceae were dominant on S. buxifolium and Rhododendron moulmainense but infrequent on Cyclobalanopsis disciformis and Podocarpus neriifolius. Our results provide evidence for distinct mycorrhizal and endophytic fungal communities on different host tree species. Further research focusing on fungi-orchid-host preference could be conducted to increase our understanding for the in situ conservation of epiphytic orchids.