Research outcomes

Unpublished

This project investigated the effect of wild bushfires and simulated fires on 5 terrestrial orchids from the Grampians, Kinglake, Lower Glenelg and Wonthaggi on 5 orchid populations in the Caladenia and Paracaleana genera. The mycorrhizal fungi were compared to determine variations in plant host interactions including occupation, morphology, isolatability, response to smoke water (SW) and germination efficacy. The effects of fire were variable and unpredictable for peloton occupation, peloton morphology and fungal isolation. Fungal growth was increased by fire from C. fragrantissima, C. gracilis, C. orientalis and P. minor plant hosts but reversed for C. phaeoclavia. Responses to smoke water (SW) was species-dependent rather than fire-determined, suggesting differences in the fungal ability to metabolise SW. Fungal growth of some isolates were enhanced by low SW (0.01-1.0 mL/L) but most (146/150) failed to grow at higher SW (10.0mL/L) from both unburnt and burnt sites. Fire caused significant differences in germination and leafing induction, with leafing induced by more unburnt isolates and germination induced by more burnt isolates.

Published

This project investigated the use of fuel reduction burns at different seasons on endemic orchids to find the least damaging season for a prescribed burn. In one study, the autumn-flowering orchid, Pterostylis revoluta was less damaged by spring-summer burns compared to autumn-winter burns. These results were mirrored in another study on two spring-flowering orchids, Glossodia major and Thelymitra pauciflora. The least damaging season to burn was also spring-summer compared to autumn-winter burns. Burning during autumn and winter reduced plant numbers and sizes, to the extent of 100% losses in re-emergence the following year. Mycorrhizal associations were also changed with fire and correlated with plant vegetative or reproductive development.

Publications

• ​Pretorius D (2018). The researcher that asks the burning questions. https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/superstars-of-stem-the-researcher-who-asks-the-burning-questions 26th June 2018.
• Jasinge N, Huynh T and Lawrie A (2018). Consequences of season of prescribed burning on two spring-flowering terrestrial orchids and their endophytic fungi. Australian Journal of Botany http://www.publish.csiro.au/BT/justaccepted/BT17179
• Jasinge N, Huynh T and Lawrie AC. (2018). Changes in orchid populations and endophytic fungi with rainfall and prescribed burning in Pterostylis revoluta in Victoria, Australia. Annals of Botany 121:321-
  334. https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/121/2/321/4782484 DOI 10.1093/aob/mcx164.
• Jasinge N. (2014). The Effect of Seasonal Burning on Three Australian Native Orchids. Master of Applied Science Thesis, RMIT University Melbourne.  https://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/view/rmit:161146
• Whiting J. (2015). Protecting our biodiversity: orchids, fire and fungi. Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility Newsletter 29:1. http://www.ammrf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vol29_April2015AMMRFnews-Web.pdf