Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40063179›Full record

ArticleMycorrhiza2025

Unlocking germination: the role of mycorrhizal strain and seed provenance in driving seed germination of a widespread terrestrial orchid.

Zeyu Zhao, Luna Yang, Yaoyao Wang, Xin Qian, Gang Ding, Hans Jacquemyn, Xiaoke Xing

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Mycorrhiza, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Symbiotic Germination inPlants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
  2. Review
  3. IMA fungus · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zeyu ZhaoState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Luna YangState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Yaoyao WangState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Xin QianState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Gang DingState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Hans JacquemynDepartment of Biology, Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Xiaoke XingState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. xkxing2009@hotmail.com.

Funding

Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine 2021-I2M-1-031National Natural Science Foundation of China 32170013Science and Technology Program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region 2023YFDZ0076Science and Technology Program of Xizang Autonomous Region XZ202201ZY0042G
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Orchids represent an important component of biodiversity in many ecosystems worldwide, notwithstanding their seed germination and distribution may to a large extent be determined and influenced by mycorrhizal fungi. While it is commonly assumed that widespread orchids are mycorrhizal generalists, the degree to which mycorrhizal diversity supports seed germination remains relatively underexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of a variety of Ceratobasidium fungi in supporting seed germination of the widespread terrestrial orchid Gymnadenia conopsea across China. Twelve Ceratobasidium strains isolated from G. conopsea and other orchids were examined for their ability to support germination of G. conopsea seeds collected from twelve sites across China. Of the twelve tested strains, six were able to support seed germination, while the remaining six strains showed no activity. Compatible strains showed a broad phylogenetic breadth, indicating the G. conopsea is capable of initiating associations with a diverse array of Ceratobasidium fungi. However, the six compatible strains differed in their ability to support protocorm formation. Moreover, germination success of seeds collected from different sites differed among Ceratobasidium strains. Seeds from northern China had a significantly higher number of compatible strains (average 5.6) than seeds from southwestern China (average 3.5). Our results suggest that G. conopsea is not only a mycorrhizal generalist in the adult stage but also in the seed germination stage, at least towards Ceratobasidium fungi. However, the significant strain-provenance interactions indicate regional differences in orchid-fungus interactions. These findings are important for improving local population restoration programs and germplasm conservation of this widespread and endangered orchid species.

Indexed as

BasidiomycotaGerminationMycorrhizaeOrchidaceaeSeedsChinaPhylogenyGymnadenia conopseaMycorrhizal specificityOrchid mycorrhizaSymbiotic germination, orchid conservation

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.