Evaluating out-planting success and mycorrhizal status of endangered Geum peckii Pursh (Rosaceae), the Eastern Mountain Avens, in Nova Scotia

Abstract

Geum peckii (Rosaceae), the Eastern Mountain Avens, is a small herbaceous plant that is listed as endangered federally and provincially. In Canada, this species is found in bogs on Brier Island and Harris Lake, Digby County, Nova Scotia. The only other population outside of Canada is in New Hampshire (USA). To enhance conservation research of this species, a seed sample from the native species seed bank at Acadia University was used to establish a plant tissue culture of G. peckii plants. Survival of out-planted material was then assessed in both the greenhouse and the field. The field test site was within 20km of the existing plant populations in Digby County. Our study also revealed that G. peckii grows in association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). During out-planting, plants received a mycorrhizal inoculum with the goal of enhancing survival. We used either a commercial mycorrhizal inoculum, or a native inoculum. Control plants were left untreated. Survival was 97-100 % among all the treatments by the end of the 2016 planting season. The results to date underscore the potential value of seed banking for protection of endangered native plant species. This study marks the first time in Nova Scotia that an endangered plant species has been successfully retrieved from seed bank storage, propagated by tissue culture, and out-planted back into a natural habitat. Keywords: Conservation, endangered native species, Geum peckii, tissue culture propagation

Foliar Endophytic Fungi from the Endangered Eastern Mountain Avens (Geum peckii, Rosaceae) in Canada

“…Although it is difficult to tease apart the potential influence of these two scenarios, the notion of fungi being associated with the mycobiome of G. peckii is of some merit. For instance, Cryptodiaporthe aubertii, which was found at all five sites observed during our study, was also found in aseptically grown G. peckii transplants, which were out planted to a comparable bog habitat on Digby Neck at which G. peckii had not been observed previously [15,23]. Despite the possibility of G. peckii having a core set of fungal endophytes, our study found that disturbed sites had lower fungal richness than the pristine site.…”

“…Of special note was the species Cryptodiaporthe aubertii, which was found as a G. peckii foliar endophyte at all sites. Intriguingly, this species has also been reported from the foliar tissues of G. peckii grown from seed in sterile tissue culture prior to ex situ planting in the Digby Neck bog habitat, where no G. peckii have previously been observed [15]. This fungus is a known endophyte and is possibly a latent saprophyte of Sweet Gale (Myrica gale), collected in bogs in Sweden and Russia [42,43].…”

“…Low germination success was observed in wild population of G. peckii and other Geum species [10,14]. Although G. peckii readily expands clonally when conditions are suitable, greenhouse and field tests have shown that G. peckii seeds do not germinate in the mineral soil of Brier Island and long seed storage periods below 0 • C significantly reduce seed viability [15]. However, greenhouse trials have shown almost 100% success when rhizomes with or without rosettes are transplanted into peat amended mineral soil from Brier Island [13].…”

“…However, greenhouse trials have shown almost 100% success when rhizomes with or without rosettes are transplanted into peat amended mineral soil from Brier Island [13]. Field trials with plants propagated by tissue culture and transplanted into a new location with suitable habitat demonstrated almost 100% survival [15]. Interestingly, Geum species can produce over 200 biologically active compounds, including antifungal methanols and antioxidant phenols [16].…”