Structure and function of the ectomycorrhizal association between Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. and Betula pendula Roth .L. Dynamics of mycorrhiza formation
Author
Summary, in English
Detailed examination of the structural and functional integration taking place during mycorrhiza formation necessitates rapid and aseptic synthesis of uniform mycorrhizal structures at well-defined stages of development. A system is described for formation of ectomycorrhizas between Betula pendula Roth. and Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. Small sterile seedlings were placed directly on fungal colonies growing on cellophane covered agar plates. Microscopic examination during the course of development indicated an initial rapid colonization of the roots and formation of a fully developed mantle within 2-4 d. Hartig net formation was evident after 8 d of contact and involved a transition from a paraepidermal organization to a mature periepidermal Hartig net after 15 d of contact. Using a standard fungal growth medium, formation and development of mycorrhizas were not greatly affected by changes in the overall concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus but changes in the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus had strong effects on development and mycorrhiza formation was completely suppressed when the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus was increased. These differences were not related to the effects of nitrogen or phosphorus on linear growth of the fungus.
Department/s
Publishing year
1995
Language
English
Pages
487-493
Publication/Series
New Phytologist
Volume
129
Issue
3
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Topic
- Biological Sciences
Keywords
- Betula pendula (birch)
- dynamics of ectomycorrhiza formation
- in vitro synthesis
- Paxillus involutus
Status
Published
Research group
- Microbial Ecology
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1469-8137