CELLULOSE AS A CARBON SOURCE FOR ORCHID MYCORRHIZA

Orchid endophyte fungi are known to utilize cellulose and translocate carbon compounds into protocorms. Evidence is presented which indicates that cellulose is an excellent carbon source for protocorm growth in a variety of orchid‐fungus systems including both temperate and tropical orchids. One per cent cellulose powder as compared with 1% dextrose as a carbon source enhanced the development of protocorms and led to a more sparse, controlled growth of the fungal endophyte and, subsequently, a diminished tendency to parasitism and death of the protocorms. It is not yet known whether cellulose is equally useful for root‐bearing mature orchids but it may be the principal carbon source in nature for orchids in the symbiotic protocorm stage. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved