Persistence of ectomycorrhizas by Thelephora terrestris on outplanted Scots pine seedlings

Abstract

Thelephora terrestris (Erhr.) Fr. is a very common ectomycorrhizal symbiont (ECM) in conifer trees, however the role of this ubiquitous fungus in nurseries and Scots pine plantations is still unknown. It is described as tolerant of high nitrogen availability and therefore was taken into consideration as an important ECM partner of seedlings, particularly after replanting on post agricultural land. In laboratory the seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were inoculated with T. terrestris (Tt/IBL/2) or not inoculated (control) and grown in containers in two different regimes of nitrogen fertilization (4g N x kg^-1 and 6 g N x kg^-1). Next year these seedlings were outplanted in post agricultural land and 6 months later, the number and identity of some mycorrhizas were studied. It was found, that mycorrhizal abundance was higher in the inoculated treatments than in non-inoculated ones. PCR RFLP analysis confirmed share of two different isolates of Thelephora engaged in mycorrhizal symbiosis. Part of mycorrhizas had the same pattern of RFLP as the isolate used to inoculation. Similar results were obtained in second year of experimental study in the field what confirmed the persistence of artificially introduced T. terrestris in post agricultural soil as an important component of the ECM community.