AUTHOR=Liu Jia-Jia , Yang Xiao-Qi , Li Zong-Yang , Miao Jia-Yun , Li Shi-Bo , Zhang Wen-Ping , Lin Yi-Cen , Lin Lian-Bing 

TITLE=The role of symbiotic fungi in the life cycle of Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae): a comprehensive review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1309038

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1309038

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Gastrodia elata</italic> Blume, a fully mycoheterotrophic perennial plant of the family Orchidaceae, is a traditional Chinese herb with medicinal and edible value. Interestingly, <italic>G. elata</italic> requires symbiotic relationships with <italic>Mycena</italic> and <italic>Armillaria</italic> strains for seed germination and plant growth, respectively. However, there is no comprehensive summary of the symbiotic mechanism between fungi and <italic>G. elata</italic>. Here, the colonization and digestion of hyphae, the bidirectional exchange of nutrients, the adaptation of fungi and <italic>G. elata</italic> to symbiosis, and the role of microorganisms and secondary metabolites in the symbiotic relationship between fungi and <italic>G. elata</italic> are summarized. We comprehensively and deeply analyzed the mechanism of symbiosis between <italic>G. elata</italic> and fungi from three perspectives: morphology, nutrition, and molecules. The aim of this review was to enrich the understanding of the mutualistic symbiosis mechanisms between plants and fungi and lay a theoretical foundation for the ecological cultivation of <italic>G. elata</italic>.</p>