International Science Community Association Research Journal of Recent Sciences 15 3 2026 07 2 Diversity of Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungi in selected terrestrial orchids from Western Ghats, Karnataka, India 96 100 EN Sahu Suresh 1 Government Engineering College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India Kumar Vinod 1 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Aggarwal Akanksha 2 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Kulshershtha Amit 3 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Kumar Manish 4 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Kumar Shanta 5 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Tripathi Raj Kumar 6 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Saini Yashwant Kumar 7 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Gupta Shyam Manohar 8 NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), Plot No. E-3, Ecotech-II, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida -201306, Uttar Pradesh, India Ram Anshu Beulah 1 Department of Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Nrupathunga Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560001, India Kour Gurshish 2 Clinical Microbiology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road, Jammu 180 001, India P. Priya 1 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India P.R. Druthi 2 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India M. Jeevitha 3 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Kabhade Sarina P. 4 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Stella Bhupanapadu Sunkesula Mary 5 Insearch Laboratory, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India M. Jeevitha 1 Department of Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India P.R. Druthi 2 Department of Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India P. Priya 3 Department of Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Kabhade Sarina P 4 Department of Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Stella Bhupanapadu Sunkesula Mary 5 Insearch Laboratory, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India P. Rajeshwari 1 Government Science College, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India Raveesha K.A. 2 Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER) Mysuru, Karnataka, India B. Kavitha 1 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Shetty Chandana R 2 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India R. Pavithra 3 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India V. Vanaja 4 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Varshini Vidhya 5 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India N. Anuroopa 1 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India R. Prajwal 2 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India M. Kishore Rao 3 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India C. Deepika 4 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India M. Jayashree 5 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India P. Rashmi 6 Department of Microbiology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India N. Hithyshi 1 Department of Post-Graduate Studies in Zoology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, India B.C. Shashikanth 2 Department of Post-Graduate Studies in Zoology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, India D.A. Uday Kumar 3 Department of Post-Graduate Studies in Zoology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, India H.M. Mohan Kumar 4 Department of Post-Graduate Studies in Zoology, Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, India S. Priya 1 Department of Computer Science, Government First Grade College, Domlur Shanthi Nagar, Bengaluru, India Urs Bharathi Shettahalli Nagaraje 1 Department of Mathematics, Government Science College, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India Gonasagi Pushpalata 1 Department of Computer Science, Govt. First Grade College Mahagaon Cross, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India L.A. Priyanka 1 St Pauls College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India C. Subramani 2 GFGC and PG centre Shankaranarayana, Udupi, Karnataka, India N. Asha 1 Department of Computer Science, Nrupathunga University (Formerly Government Science College), Bangalore, Karnataka, India S. Sinchana 2 Department of CSE, BGS College of Engineering and Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India B.S. Jyothsna 1 Department of Botany, Government Science College, N.T. Road, Bangalore-01, Karnataka, India > Research Article 2026 4 12 2026 07 2 Orchids form mutualistic associations with a specialized group of fungi known as orchid mycorrhiza, particularly during early stages of development. This study investigates mycorrhizal associations in selected terrestrial orchid species. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine fungal structures, measure hyphal and peloton dimensions, and assess the pattern of colonization within root tissues. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify the associated fungal species. Fungal colonization was observed in 88% of the root cortex, indicating a strong symbiotic relationship. Entry of the fungus occurred mainly through root hairs, followed by the formation of tightly coiled hyphal structures, known as pelotons, within cortical cells. The spread of the fungus involved cell-to-cell penetration, and both intact and degraded pelotons were observed within the cortex. Fungal genera such as Tulasnella and Rhizoctonia were identified from root samples. Seed germination experiments using the isolated fungi demonstrated their role in promoting germination. These findings contribute to understanding the processes of colonization, isolation, and characterization of orchid mycorrhizal fungi, as well as the establishment of symbiotic relationships. Such knowledge may support conservation efforts and help address ecological challenges associated with orchid species. 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