Objective Effects of the symbiosis between Epulorhiza sp. and Dendrobium officinale in a liquid culture medium on the growth and nutrient content of the plant were analyzed.
Method In a potted experimentation, the sterile D. officinale seedlings were irrigated with a liquid medium as control or one containing Epulorhiza sp. for the treatment. Agronomic characteristics and nutrient contents of the stems and leaves from one- and 2-year-old D. officinale plantlets were monitored.
Result Showing dark green leaves and robust stems, the treatment plantlets grew more vigorously than control. In the presence of Epulorhiza sp., on average the girths of the productive stems of one- and 2-year-old plantlets significantly increased by 65.67% and 74.25%, respectively, and the single stem weight by 55.29% and 51.45%, respectively (P＜0.05). The increases meant improved crop yield. Meanwhile, the contents of polysaccharides, dendrobine, crude protein, and amino acids increased as well. For the one-year-old plantlets, the crude polysaccharides rose significantly by 30.39%, and the crude protein 18.7% (P＜0.05). For both one- and 2-year-old plantlets, the total amino acids significantly increased by 27% and 30.25%, respectively (P＜0.05), while the crude fiber and ash significantly decreased by 17.76% and 36.36%, respectively (P＜0.05).
Conclusion Both crop yield and nutrient content of D. officinale could be significantly improved by the presence of Epulorhiza sp. in medium. It suggested the potential benefits of organic fungi-containing manure utilization, artificial greenhouse operation, and harvest time management for the cultivation of D. officinale.
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