The effectiveness of ectomycorrhizal fungi in increasing the growth of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. in relation to root colonization and hyphal development in soil.

Forty-seven different isolates of ectomycorrhizal fungi, from the different genera, were screened for their effectiveness in increasing the growth of Eucalyptus globulin La hi 11. where supply of P is deficient. Plants were grown in a P-delicient sand, in pots, in a temperature- control led glasshouse. Seedlings we re harvested 6-S and K7 d after planting, and were assessed for dry matter production and mywirrhizal colonization. Selected treatments were also assessed for P concentrations in the plant and hyphal development in the soil. Dry weights of inoculated plants ranged from 50 to 350% of the dry Weights of uninoculated plants. Growth increases in response to ectorriycorrhizal inoculation corresponded with increased P uptake by the plant.'Early'colonizing fungal species (Descolea maculata, Hebeloma westraliens, Laccaria laccata and Pisolithus tinctorius) were generally more effective in increasing plant growth than'late'colonizing species (Cortinarius spp. and Hyutenmgium spp.), although there was also variation in effectiveness among isolates of the same fungal species. Plant dry weights were positively correlated (r2 = 0·79-0·84) with the length of colonized root, indicating that fungi which colonized roots extensively were The most effective in increasing plant growth. For some fungi, however, plant growth responses to inoculation were not related to colonized root length. These responses could not.be related to the development of hyphae in soil by the mycorrhizal fungi.

Ectomycorrhiza formation in Eucalyptus.: IV. Ectomycorrhizas in the sporocarps of the hypogeous fungi Mesophellia and Castorium in Eucalypt forests of Western Australia.

Mesophellia and Castorium are common hypogeous macrofungi in the karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor F. Muell.) and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forests of south-western Australia. Sporocarps of Mesophellia and Castorium develop 5-20 cm below the soil surface in close association with eucalypt roots. During differentiation of the sporocarps, eucalypt roots become trapped within the peridium where they branch profusely and form a dense ectomycorrhizal layer. Mature sporocarps of M. trabalis nom. ined. contain approximately S m of roots of 45 cm2 surface area. Anatomical studies have shown that these roots have Hartig nets penetrating to the hypodermis and are similar to the superficial eucalypt ectomycorrhizas formed in soil and litter. The association of Mesophellia and Castorium sporocarps with tree roots suggests that these are important mycorrhizal fungi in forests of southern Australia.

Growth and phosphorus acquisition of karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor F. Muell.) seedlings inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi in relation to phosphorus supply.

Growth and phosphorus acquisition of pot-grown seedlings of karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor F. Muell.) were examined following inoculation with four ectomycorrhizal fungi -Descolea maculata Bougher (two isolates), Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch, and Laccaria laccata (Scop, ex Fr.) Berk. & Br. Seedlings were raised in steam-sterilized sand to which 13 rates of phosphorus (0.100 mg P kg-1 soil) were applied. All fungi except P. tinctorius produced a plant growth response. L. laccata produced the largest growth response. Responses were greatest at low rates of application of P to soil. There was no effect of the fungi on growth at levels of P application above 28 mg P kg-1 soil. A threshold effect (no increase in growth with increasing additions of P) characteristic of non-mycorrhizal seedlings was eliminated by mycorrhizal infection. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased P content of plant tissues at sub-optimal levels of P supply. The effect of mycorrhizas on seedling P status diminished with increasing soil P. One isolate of D. maculata often had greater rates of P accumulation and produced higher concentrations of P in plant tissues than L. laccata, but did not produce greater plant biomass. Frequency of infection for all fungi was low in soils with no additional P, and greatest with the addition of 2 mg P kg-1 soil (L. laccata and D. maculata isolate A), or 4 mg P kg-1 soil (D. maculata isolate B). Infection was reduced with increasing soil P, and not evident at 36 mg P kg-1 soil or higher levels of soil P. L. laccata had higher infection frequency and mycorrhizal root length at all levels of soil P than the D. maculata isolates. Two fungi produced basidiomes. This occurred at levels of soil P application ranging from 4 to 28 mg P kg-1 soil for D. maculata (isolate B), and at 4 to 28 mg P kg-1 soil for L. laccata.