Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities of Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) Seedlings in Disturbed Sites and Undisturbed Old Forest Sites

This study aimed to investigate differences in ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities between disturbed sites and undisturbed old forest sites. ECM root tips of Pinus densiflora were collected from 4 sites disturbed by human activities and 3 undisturbed old forest sites adjacent to the disturbed sites. Results in this study showed that the number of ECM root tips, species diversity, and number of species were significantly higher in the disturbed sites than in the undisturbed sites, suggesting that the ECM fungal community structure was affected by the degree of disturbance.

Utilization of rocks and ectomycorrhizal fungi to promote growth of eucalypt

The utilization of rocks as fertilizers is limited by their low solubility. However, solubilization may be achieved by some micro-organisms, such as ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMf). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of seven isolates of ECMf to solubilize two rocks, alkaline breccia and granite, and to liberate potassium and phosphorus for Eucalyptus dunnii seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Fungal inoculants were produced in a peat-vermiculite-liquid medium mixture and added to the planting substrate at 10 percent. Rocks were ground up and added at 0.500 mg and 16.0 mg per plant, as a source of phosphorus and potassium, respectively. Other nutrients were added and E. dunnii seeds were sown. Control plants, non-inoculated, were fertilized with the same amount of phosphorus and potassium using soluble forms. After 90 days, the plant height, shoot dry weight, root length, phosphorus and potassium contents, and mycorrhizal colonization were evaluated. Alkaline breccia was more efficient than granite as a source of phosphorus and potassium for the plants, and may be an alternative to conventional fertilizers. Isolates UFSC-Pt22 (Pisolithus sp.) and UFSC-Pt186 (Pisolithus microcarpus) were the most efficient in promoting plant growth, mainly when combined with alkaline breccia to replace potassium and phosphorus fertilizers, respectively.

Observations on the Ectomycorrhizal Roots Collected from the Bases of the Basiodiocarps in Chungbuk

Various types of ectomycorrihzal root were observed from the bases of the basidiocarps collected from the four different soils of WalAk Mt., JoRyeong Mt, MinJuJi Mt. and hills near Korea National University of Education; The dichotomous ectomycorrihzal roots were mainly found to be from the interactions of the Pinus roots with the basidiocarps of Boletus and Amanita species. The black single bat-like ectomycorrihzal roots with the darken rhizomorphic mycelia were mainly found to be from the interactions of the Quercus roots with the basidiocarps of Russula species. The pyramid and the monopodial-pinnate ectomycorrihzal roots were also found to be from the interactions of the Pinus and deciduous tree roots with the basidiocarps of Russula and Boletus species. The distinguished structures of the mantle and Hartig net in the cortex layers were observed to be from the roots related to the genus of Pinus in the anatomical sections. However, the aggregated (premeated) structures of mantle and Hartig net in the cortex layer were found to be in the black and bat-like ectomycorrihzal roots. The structures of cross section in the ectomycorrihzal roots, especially the roots related to the host-plants of Pinus, were observed to be different from those according to the fungal species of the basidiocarps collected. The ectomycorrihzal root not reported or confirmed by the anatomical sections were newly found to be from the bases of the basidocarps of Amanita castanopsidis, Boletus laetissimus, B. violaceofuscus, B. speciosus, Clitopilus prunulus, Leccinum rugosiceps, Russula. alboareolata, R. bella, Strobilomyces confusus, Tylropilus neofelleus, and T. plumbeoviolaceus. From the observations mentioned above, the various types of ectomycomhzal roots were speculated to be formed between the different host plants and the different species of basidiocarps.