Effects of Serendipita Fungi and Substrate Composition on Symbiotic Germination and Seedling Development of Dendrobium officinale
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear Authors
General the manuscript is well-structured and the information presented in a logical manner but some information in sections Abstract, Materials and Methods and Results must be completed.
Abstract
Line 23: SO and SI – please provide full names
Materials and Methods
Line 107: full name and then abbreviation
Line 120: nine substrate? I think 10 substrate please correct
Line 125: please add what kind of eggs, I think pest eggs, please fill in
Line 132: PDA please provide full names
Line 133: dextrose – give company name
Line 134: agar – give company name
Line 140: lyophilized agar powder – give company name
Line 149: 15 holes, Line 152: 32 holes – please explain
Lines 161-163: Lowercase or uppercase letters – please make them consistent.
Line 173: LR - explain abbreviation, please
Results
Lines185, 195, 205, 277, 303, 316, D. officinale instead of Dendrobium officinale
Figure 1, 2, 3 - Why seed germination and protocorm formation after 60 days were lower than after 30 days? (for SO and Substrate 1, 2, 3). Please explain this in more detail in the discussion.
Line 254, 266, 276 Substrate instead of substrate
Line 297, 299 Dendrobium officinale italics
Discussion
Line 303, 316, 342, 359: D. officinale instead of Dendrobium officinale
Line 341: S. officinale instesd of Serendipita officinale
Why seed germination and protocorm formation after 60 days were lower than after 30 days? (for SO and Substrate 1, 2, 3). Please explain this in more detail in the discussion.
Therefore, the present draft needs revision before further process.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript presents a relevant contribution to orchid biology and conservation. The study clearly demonstrates the potential of mycorrhizal-assisted direct seeding for Dendrobium officinale, offering valuable insights into fungus–substrate interactions and their implications for germination and seedling establishment. Overall, the English is generally clear and well-structured, although certain sections could benefit from minor linguistic refinement to improve fluency. I found the article highly interesting for researchers working in orchid biology, ecology, and propagation; however, I would appreciate clarification on a few points: (1) What specific physicochemical properties differentiate substrates 1, 2, and 3, and how might these account for the contrasting performance observed? (2) Were the SO and SI fungal strains taxonomically identified to species level, and if so, what are their ecological origins? (3) What explains the decline in SO and SI effectiveness at later developmental stages—was nutrient depletion, substrate compaction, or fungal senescence considered? (4) How consistent were the microscopic observations across replicates, particularly regarding hyphal turnover rates? and (5) Could the authors elaborate on the scalability of this direct seeding method for field-level conservation or commercial cultivation? Despite these minor questions, the study is robust, engaging, and a valuable addition to the field.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThe English could be improved to more clearly express the research
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis papes compares the use of two mycorrhizal fungus or their combination on seed germination, protochorm formation and plantlets establishmente of Dendrobium officinale using three different types of substrates. This work provide useful information that, it mentions, can be used to design estrategies to increase the germination rate of this epiphytic plant and scale it up to higher levels. However this study is not novel and the results are rather descriptive, requiring a more in-depth discussion:
What does each of the fungi contribute in the three stages of plant development when interactibg with it? If both they are tested together, will there be any antagonism or competition?
Lines 185, 195, 205, 277, 299 Dendrobium officinale should be written in italic format. It is not necessary to include the full genus name.
Paragraph 3.1.1. How can be explained the variation in the substrate efficiency for seed germination through the time assayed?
In Figure captiosn, it is important to mention the type of substrates thet authors are referred.
Discussion, Lines 301-308 What are these characteristics in the substrates tested here, how might they influence seed germination, protochorm formation ans seedling establishment?
Line 374: What the authors refer with the term "micro-oxic?
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors considered the suggestions and made the observed corrections.
