Molecular identification of the primary root fungal endophytes of Dipodium hamiltonianum (Orchidaceae)

We have identified the primary root fungal endophytes of Dipodium hamiltonianum F.M.Bailey, a species of orchid endangered in Victoria and uncommon in New South Wales and Queensland. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole colonised root portions from four orchid individuals and PCR amplified with ITS1F and ITS4 primers. Cloning and sequencing of the main amplicons produced from the PCR analysis revealed that the primary root fungal endophytes were Gymnomyces and Russula spp., both members of the Russulaceae. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of conservation of the orchid species.