INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF SUBSTRATE, MYCORRHIZAL APPLICATION AND BULB SEPARATION ON THE GROWTH OF THE WILD ORCHID ANACAMPTIS PYRAMIDALIS

Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) is a wild terrestrial orchid widelyfound in Lebanon and the Mediterranean zone. Random collection and trade of theorchid for medicinal and edible use (salep) subjected it to a risk of extinction.Consequently, the current work aimed to propagate this orchid in vivo. Orchidbulbs were transplanted from the wild into four different soil substrates (Pinebark,Pinebark-Peat (1/1), Peat-Sand (1/1) and control: soil from the collection site)under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. The effect of mycorrhizalapplication (MY: Yes) was tested in the different substrates except in control andorchid bulbs (son bulb and mother bulb) were planted combined (SB+MB) or afterseparation of the mother bulb (SB). Same treatments were repeated over twoconsecutive years. Results showed an earlier emergence of son bulbs (SB) grownin control substrate. Moreover, there was a significant difference in plant growthwith superiority for (SB) compared to (SB+MB) regarding plant length andelongation of first leaf except bulb dimensions (length and width) that were higherin (SB+MB). Mycorrhizal application enhanced the overall growth of plants and itseffect was the most obvious in the substrate Peat-Sand (1/1). In general, the bestgrowth of the orchid was observed at the level (SB)/(MY:Yes)/Peat-Sand (1/1).Results of the second experimental year confirmed those of the first year with animprovement of the rate of emergence by 13%. The in vivo propagation methodwas beneficial on improving the growth of A. pyramidalis ex situ and it could beadopted as an initiative for wild orchid conservation