Establishment of ectomycorrhizae on the roots of two species of Eucalyptus from fungal spores contained in the faeces of the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus)

Abstract The long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus), a medium-sized, ground-dwelling marsupial, inhabits the foothills and coastal forests of southeastern mainland Australia. Faecal analysis confirmed the mycophagous habit of P. tridactylus at a eucalypt forest site in East Gippsland, Victoria; in one month, the spores of 33 different fungi were identified. The majority of species (27) were hypogeal or subhypogeal gasteromycetes that form ectomycorrhizae with forest trees and shrubs, and included the widespread and common Mesophellia pachytrix. The possible role of mycophagy in establishment of eucalypt-fungal mycorrhizae was investigated in several ways. Fungal spores were viable after passage through the gut of P. tridactylus; application of spore-bearing faeces to seedlings of Eucalyptus sieberi and Eucalyptus globoidea grown in sterile soil produced ectomycorrhizae. Spores of M. pachythrix were among the most common spores in these faeces and some of the resulting ectomycorrhizae were of the type expected from M. pachythrix. In contrast, direct application of M. pachythrix spores from sporocarp tissue to seedlings produced no ectomycorrhizae. Ectomycorrhizae also were established on seedlings grown in unsterilized forest soil, indicating that soil-borne spores had been conditioned, either by passage through the gut of a mammal or some other means, for reaction with the roots of eucalypts. Addition of faeces improved root and shoot growth of seedlings, although we could not determine whether this was primarily due to the formation of ectomycorrhizae, the addition of nutrients in the faeces, or a combination of both. Potorous tridactylus may enhance the re-establishment of mycorrhizal colonies in logged and/or burned forest sites by dispersing in its faeces, the spores of mycorrhizal fungi from sporocarps consumed within the disturbed area, as well as spores from sporocarps eaten in adjacent undisturbed habitat. In performing this function, P. tridactylus may also aid in the recovery of regenerating silvertop ash-stringybark forests.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium frequentans</Emphasis> isolated from<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Picea glehnii</Emphasis> seedling roots as a possible biological control agent against damping-off

Picea glehnii seedlings are affected by damping-off fungi in nurseries. The aims of this study were (1) to isolate fungi grown in the seedling rhizosphere in forest soil of P. glehnii, (2) to select fungi that produce antifungal compounds against Pythium vexans, and (3) to examine whether or not selected fungi can protect seedlings from P. vexans. Penicillium frequentans from Picea glehnii seedling roots produced antibiotic penicillic acid. Penicillic acid did not cause significant phytotoxicity to the seedlings. Penicillium frequentans increased the average percentage of surviving seedlings when inoculated together with Pythium vexans, but the increase was not significant. Vigorous mycelial growth of P. frequentans around seedling roots seems to be one of the mechanisms for protection, but the amount of penicillic acid was too low to show antifungal activity in the seedling rhizosphere.     

In vitro ectomycorrhizal formation in Picea glehnii seedlings

 Twenty isolates of ectomycorrhizal fungi – 3 from Picea glehnii, 12 from other coniferous trees, and 5 from decidous trees – were tested for the ability to form mycorrhizae with P. glehnii, using an in vitro synthesis technique. Macroscopically, mycorrhizal formation was observed 3 months after inoculation, when the lateral roots began to grow. Mycelial growth was observed in all inoculated treatments, generally around and along the roots. Six months after inoculation, seedlings were harvested and the mycorrhizae were observed microscopically. Fourteen of the 20 isolates formed ectomycorrhizae with a dense sheath and a deep Hartig net; 1 formed ectendomycorrhizae with a rudimentary mantle, a well-developed Hartig net and intracellular hyphae; 3 formed pseudomycorrhizae with a mantle but without the Hartig net; and only 2 of the fungi tested, Chalciporus pipeparatus 5/92 and Lyophyllum sp. 61/92, did not form mycorrhizae at all. P. glehnii was a good host species since it had low specificity to ectomycorrhizal fungi isolated from trees other than P. glehnii. Accepted: 6 May 1996     

Community analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest and introduction of the fungal community into the seedlings of indigenous woody plants

A community of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was investigated in a warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest using a molecular analysis method. Root samples were obtained from the forest, and DNA was extracted from the samples. Partial 18S rDNA of AM fungi were amplified from the extracted DNA by polymerase chain reaction using a universal eukaryotic primer NS31 and an AM fungal-specific primer AM1. After cloning the PCR products, 394 clones were obtained in total, which were divided into five types by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with HinfI, RsaI, and Hsp92II. More than 20% of the clones were randomly selected from each RFLP type and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the obtained clones belonged to Glomus but could not be identified at species level. Topsoil of the forest containing plant roots was inoculated to nonmycorrhizal seedlings of indigenous woody plants, Rhus javanica var. roxburghii and Clethra barvinervis, to introduce the community of AM fungi into the seedlings. Among these five RFLP types, four types were detected from both seedlings, which indicates that the AM fungal community in the forest root samples was introduced at least partly into the seedlings. Meanwhile, an additional four types that were not found in the forest root samples were newly detected in the seedlings, these types were closely related to one another and close to G. fasciculatum or G. intraradices. It is expected that a community of indigenous diverse AM fungi could be introduced into target fields by planting these mycorrhizal seedlings.     

Comparative effects of four mycorrhizal fungi on loblolly pine seedlings growing in a greenhouse in a Piedmont soil

Summary A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ectomycorrhizae on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) growing in a Piedmont soil. Pine seedlings were inoculated with one of four species of fungi (Scleroderma aurantium, Pisolithus tinctorius, Thelophora terrestris, andRhizopogon roseolus). The seedlings were grown in pots containing a Cecil sandy clay loam amended to create a gradient of extractable P ranging from 5.9 to 52.5 g/g. After ten months, all colonized seedlings were significantly larger than control seedlings. However, of the four fungi,Scleroderma aurantium mediated a far superior shoot growth response to increasing levels of soil P; the seedlings were significantly larger than those colonized by any other fungus and also had the largest root systems and greatest degree of mycorrhizal colonization.     

Ostryopsis davidiana seedlings inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi facilitate formation of mycorrhizae on Pinus tabulaeformis seedlings

Reforestation in China is important for reversing anthropogenic activities that degrade the environment. Pinus tabulaeformis is desired for these activities, but survival and growth of seedlings can be hampered by lack of ectomycorrhizae. When outplanted in association with Ostryopsis davidiana plants on reforestation sites, P. tabulaeformis seedlings become mycorrhizal and survival and growth are enhanced; without O. davidiana, pines often remain without mycorrhizae and performance is poorer. To better understand this relationship, we initiated an experiment using rhizoboxes that restricted root and tested the hypothesis that O. davidiana seedlings facilitated ectomycorrhizae formation on P. tabulaeformis seedlings through hyphal contact. We found that without O. davidiana seedlings, inocula of five indigenous ectomycorrhizal fungi were unable to grow and associate with P. tabulaeformis seedlings. Inocula placed alongside O. davidiana seedlings, however, resulted in enhanced growth and nutritional status of O. davidiana and P. tabulaeformis seedlings, and also altered rhizosphere pH and phosphatase activity. We speculate that these species form a common mycorrhizal network and this association enhances outplanting performance of P. tabulaeformis seedlings used for forest restoration.     

The early-stage ectomycorrhizal Thelephoroid fungal sp. is competitive and effective on<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Afzelia africana</Emphasis> Sm. in nursery conditions in Senegal

This study was conducted to evaluate the competitiveness and effectiveness of Thelephoroid fungal sp. ORS.XM002 against native ectomycorrhizal fungal species colonizing potted Afzelia africana seedlings during 3 months of growth in different forest soils collected from under mature trees. Using morphotyping and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), we were able to distinguish the introduced Thelephoroid fungal sp. ORS.XM002 among native ectomycorrhizal fungal species that form ectomycorrhizae in A. africana seedlings. The morphotype (MT) of the introduced fungus showed some color variation, with a shift from light- to dark-brown observed from younger to older mycorrhizal tips. We were able to differentiate the ITS type xm002 of the introduced fungus from the 14 ITS-RFLP types characterizing the 9 native MT that occurred in forest soils. The frequency of ITS type xm002 ranged from 40% to 49% depending on the forest soil used, and was always higher than those of ITS types from native dark-brown MT that occurred in inoculated seedlings 3 months after inoculation. We considered Thelephoroid fungal sp. ORS.XM002 to be responsible for stimulation of mycorrhizal colonization of inoculated A. africana seedlings when compared with control seedlings in forest soils. This fungus appeared to be more effective in increasing the root dry weight of A. africana seedlings. To identify the unknown introduced fungal species and native MT, we sequenced the ML5/ML6 region of the mitochondrial large subunit rRNA. Sequence analysis showed that these fungi belong to three ML5/ML6 groups closely related to the Cortinarioid, Thelephoroid, and Sclerodermataceous taxa. The molecular evidence for the persistence of Thelephoroid fungal sp. ORS.XM002 despite competition from native fungi argues in favor of using this fungus with A. africana in nursery soil conditions in Senegal.     

Salinity effects on germination,growth, and seed production of the halophyte Cakile maritima

The growth ofEucalyptus regnans seedlings in forest soil is enhanced when it has been air-dried. In undried forest soil seedlings grow poorly and develop purple coloration in the foliage, indicating P deficiency. This paper reports the results of pot experiments designed to investigate the relationship between growth and P acquisition, ectomycorrhizal infection and age of seedlings grown in air-dried and undried soil. The effect on seedling growth of their inoculation with air-dried or undried soil or with ectomycorrhizal roots from plants growing in air-dried or undried soil was also investigated. Ectomycorrhizal root tips were detected in 3-week-oldE. regnans seedlings in both air-dried and undried soil, and from then on the frequency of ectomycorrhizal root tips increased rapidly. In air-dried soil, seedlings were fully ectomycorrhizal at 9 weeks, and the occurrence of maximum ectomycorrhizal infection coincided with enhanced P acquisition and the initiation of rapid seedling growth. In undried forest soil, seedling growth remained poor, even though the seedlings had well-developed ectomycorrhizae and the incidence of ectomycorrhizal root tips was the same as in air-dried soil. The dominant ectomycorrhizae in airdried soil were associated with an ascomycete fungus, whereas in undried, undisturbed soil they were commonly associated with basidiomycete fungi. Inoculation of sterile soil/sand mix with washed ectomycorrhizal roots from air-dried soil increased the P acquisition and growth of the seedlings significantly compared with controls, whereas ectomycorrhizal inocula from undried soil had no effect on seedling growth, although both inocula resulted in a similar incidence of ectomycorrhizal root tips. Similarly, addition of a small amount of air-dried soil into sterile soil/sand mix resulted in a significantly greater increase in the P content and dry weight of the seedlings, compared with the control, than addition of undried soil. In both treatments, the incidence of ectomycorrhial root tips was similar. As (i) the differentiation in seedling growth between air-dried and undried soil occurred after seedlings became ectomycorrhizal, (ii) the dominant ectomycorrhizae in air-dried soil were different from those in undried soil, and (iii) inocula from air-dried soil, but not from undried soil, stimulated seedling growth in sterile soil/sand mix, it is concluded that development of particular ectomycorrhizae may be involved in seedling growth stimulation and enhanced P acquisition associated with air drying of forest soil.     

Relationship between plant cover type and soil properties on Syunkunitai coastal sand dune in eastern Hokkaido

A survey of soils and trees was conducted on Syunkunitai coastal sand dune in eastern Hokkaido to clarify the relationships between the soil properties and the plant cover type. A belt transect of 360m in length was established across the dune. Three community types, that is, a Picea glehnii forest, an Abies sachalinensis forest, and a salt marsh were recognized. Soil types at the study area were determined to be sandy immature soil and peat soil. Their horizon sequences were described as A₀–V–C or T–V–C layers (A₀, T, V, and C indicate layers of leaf litter, peat, volcanic deposit, and parent material, respectively). The Abies sachalinensis forest was characterized by a relatively high calcium concentration in the surface soil layer and a tendency for podzolization in the volcanic deposit layer. The Picea glehnii forest was characterized by peat accumulation because of the high ground water table, volcanic deposits in the soil profile, and the strong influence of sea salt on the soil chemistry. The roots in the Picea glehnii forest were distributed more shallowly than those in the Abies sachalinensis forest, thus avoiding the high water table level as well as the influence of seawater in the soil. The salt marsh showed an extremely high sodium concentration and base saturation, indicating that this area was directly affected by seawater. Recently, the periphery of the Picea glehnii forest on Syunkunitai sand dune has been declining because of seawater inundation caused by ground subsidence.     

Use of soil transfer for reforestation on abandoned mined lands in Alaska

Soil transfers from an intermediate successional site and a mature forest site were applied to Populus balsamifera L. cuttings and Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursh seedlings placed on an abandoned mined site in south central Alaska to improve plant establishment. Mycorrhizal fungi in the soil transfers from the two successional stages were hypothesized to have different effects on plant species that colonize disturbed sites at different times or on different substrates. The site consisted of coarse, dry, low-nutrient spoils and was naturally colonized by scattered P. balsamifera but not A. crispa, although seed sources for both were adjacent to the site. Physical dimensions of the transplanted seedlings and cuttings were measured at the beginning and end of each growing season. Selected plants were harvested at the end of the 2-year study and examined for mycorrhizal formation, current growth, and leaf tissue nutrient concentrations. Both plant species were taller when treated with the soil transfers from the mature forest than with soils from the intermediate site although the increase for A. crispa was greater. Physical dimensions, current growth, and nutrient concentrations were greater when A. crispa was treated with the mature soil transfer compared with the intermediate soil transfer. Mycorrhizae which infected Alnus were predominantly a brown woody type, while other types accounted for greater relative mycorrhizal infection percentage on Populus. Insufficient quantities of mycorrhizal inoculum of suitable species, as well as low moisture and low nutrient conditions, may be factors limiting A. crispa colonization on primary disturbed sites in south central Alaska.     

Stand development and regeneration during a 33-year period in a seral Picea glehnii forest, northern Japan

Stand development and regeneration were studied during a 33-year period (1965-1998) in a 1-ha plot in a seral Picea glehnii forest in northern Japan. P. glehnii was mono-dominant in the upper canopy layer, but its understory trees were rarely found in 1965. Other species were scarcely observed in 1965. Many recruited saplings of Abies sachalinensis which had grown to > 5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) by 1998 had become dominant in the understory layer. Mortality of P. glehnii canopy trees was low. Therefore, the stand basal area increased during the census period due to the growth of surviving canopy trees. Stand development brought about intense competition among trees by increasing local crowding for each tree, and promoted dominance of larger trees and suppression of smaller trees. Although growth rates of understory trees of the two conifers decreased with the increase in local crowding, the growth rate of A. sachalinensis was consistently higher than that of P. glehnii at all extents of local crowding. The recruitment rate (growing to 5 cm DBH) of the two conifers was less affected by local crowding. However, the number of recruits of P. glehnii was only about a quarter of that of A. sachalinensis during the census period because the regeneration of P. glehnii was largely restricted to fallen logs and within 1 m of the base of any live tree > 20 cm DBH. Therefore, our long-term study suggests that A. sachalinensis will dominate over P. glehnii in the seral forest because of higher recruitment and growth rates of the former than the latter in the understory.An erratum to this article can be found at     

接种外生菌根对辽东栎幼苗生长的影响

辽东栎 (Quercusliaotungensis)是中国特有的栎林树种 ,也是中国暖温带落叶阔叶林的主要优势树种之一。铆钉菇 (Gomphidiusviscidus)和臭红菇 (Russulafoetens)是在自然环境中与其共生形成外生菌根的真菌。在温室花盆中播种辽东栎种子获得辽东栎幼苗 ,并对幼苗接种铆钉菇和臭红菇合成外生菌根 ,比较了有菌根和无菌根辽东栎幼苗生长、光合蒸腾特性、氮磷含量的差异。外生菌根对辽东栎幼苗的生长有明显的促进作用 ,有菌根幼苗的生物量、株高、净光合速率和水分利用效率高于无菌根幼苗 ,蒸腾速率则相反。有菌根幼苗的氮磷含量分别为无菌根幼苗的 1.7倍和 2 .2倍 ,外生菌根的合成还改变了氮磷在幼苗器官间的分配比例 ,与无菌根幼苗相比 ,有菌根幼苗茎中的氮磷减少 ,而叶片中的磷显著增加。同时接种铆钉菇和臭红菇的生长促进效果优于单独接种。     

接种外生菌根对辽东栎幼苗生长的影响

 辽东栎（Quercus liaotungensis）是中国特有的栎林树种,也是中国暖温带落叶阔叶林的主要优势树种之一。铆钉菇（Gomphidius viscidus）和臭红菇（Russula foetens）是在自然环境中与其共生形成外生菌根的真菌。在温室花盆中播种辽东栎种子获得辽东栎幼苗,并对幼苗接种铆钉菇和臭红菇合成外生菌根,比较了有菌根和无菌根辽东栎幼苗生长、光合蒸腾特性、氮磷含量的差异。外生菌根对辽东栎幼苗的生长有明显的促进作用,有菌根幼苗的生物量、株高、净光合速率和水分利用效率高于无菌根幼苗,蒸腾速率则相反。有菌根幼苗的氮磷含量分别为无菌根幼苗的1.7倍和2.2倍,外生菌根的合成还改变了氮磷在幼苗器官间的分配比例,与无菌根幼苗相比,有菌根幼苗茎中的氮磷减少,而叶片中的磷显著增加。同时接种铆钉菇和臭红菇的生长促进效果优于单独接种。     

Lignin-degrading ability of litter-decomposing basidiomycetes fromPicea forests of Hokkaido

The frequency of occurrence of the litter-decomposing basidiomycetes ofPicea abies andP. glehnii forest floors in Hokkaido was investigated. In both theP. abies andP. glehnii forest plots (each 10 m×10 m), litter-decomposing basidiomycetes of the generaCollybia andMycena were frequently observed. Species composition, frequency of occurrence, and basidioma numbers of each species were different between the two forest plots, but several species were common to both. Seven species isolated from theP. glehnii forest plot (C. acervata, C. pinastris, Marasmius pallidocephalus, Ma. wettsteinii, My. aurantiidisca, My. clavicularis, Mycena sp. 1) and four species from theP. abies forest plot (C. pinastris, My. alphitophora (=My. osmundicola), Mycena sp. 1,My. vulgaris) were tested for their ability to degrade lignin by a simple plate test for extracellular phenoloxidases and by measuring Klason lignin loss from needle litter of spruce. All the strains of the litter-decomposing fungi tested showed positive reactions on the plate test. Lignin contained in the needle litter was degraded by all strains tested (onlyMy. alphitophora was not tested), and rates varied from 9% to 40% over a two-month period in vitro. Seven species with ligninolytic ability in theP. glehnii forest plot and four such species in theP. abies forest plot were found respectively in 77% and 60% of the 100 subplots in each plot. The results of this study suggest that lignin decomposition of needle litter by litter-decomposing basidiomycetes in the forest floor is a common event in the studiedPicea forests of Hokkaido and that the diversity of the ligninolytic activity among the species or strains may cause spatial heterogeneity of litter decomposition in thePicea forest floor.     

Formation and maintenance of community boundaries in a sub‐alpine forest landscape in northern Japan

Abstract. We focused on community boundaries in a sub‐alpine forest landscape in the Shiretoko Peninsula, northern Japan. Gradient‐directed transects were conducted on the northwestern slope (ranging 500–600 m a.s.l.) of Mount On'nebetsu (1331 m), where complex topography was formed by past landslides. Pioneer Picea glehnii made up a mosaic of pure stands related to landslides. Structural and compositional changes from P. glehnii pure stands to P. glehnii and Abies sachalinensis mixed stands were characterized by ca. 20 m transitional zones over the landscape. Stand density of the species changed across boundaries. A. sachalinensis preferred less undulated slopes with deep soil and P. glehnii preferred undulated rocky sites. Positive spatial associations between overstorey‐understorey P. glehnii were found at undulated core parts of P. glehnii pure stands. Short‐lived A. sachalinensis grew faster to the smaller maximum size than long‐lived P. glehnii. Undulated topography controlled the increase of A. sachalinensis and provided regeneration sites for P. glehnii, which prevented the general trend of canopy replacement from P. glehnii to late‐successional A. sachalinensis. However, the locations of current boundaries were not accordant with the topographic changes in the meso‐scale landscape. Initial P. glehnii pure stands would extend to larger areas if current patterns reflect vegetation recovery since the last landslide. P. glehnii pure stands with accurate boundaries were not maintained by topographic complexity, but were dynamically arranged by the one‐sided canopy replacements from P. glehnii to A. sachalinensis at less undulated slopes in the sub‐alpine forest landscape.     

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum potential affects the growth of Stryphnodendron microstachyum seedlings in a Costa Rican human tropical lowland

This study used a plant bioassay to investigate the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculum potential of soil from three vegetation types (fern, secondary forest, and grass) in an abandoned pasture in the tropical humid lowlands at La Selva, in northeastern Costa Rica. Growth, measured as seedling height, number of leaves, and total (above- and belowground) biomass, of Stryphnodendron microstachyum Poepp. et Endl. (Synon. S. excelsum Harms) seedlings was significantly lower when grown in soil inoculum from the fern areas than in soil inoculum from the forest and grass areas. However, S. microstachyum seedlings grown in the fern inoculum had significantly greater VAM colonization than seedlings grown in the forest and grass inoculum. In addition, roots collected from a dominant plant species from each of the three vegetation types showed that the fern (Nephrolepsis biserrata) had significantly greater mycorrhizal colonization than the tree (Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze or the grass (Brachiaria spp.). The results of this study suggest that differences in mycorrhizal inoculum potential among vegetation types and its effects on seedling growth may have important implications for the restoration and management of degraded lands.     

Vesicular endophytes in roots of the Pinaceae

Vesicles and hyphae typical of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) were common in seedlings of Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa and Tsuga mertensiana growing in openings where herbaceous hosts of these fungi were common. Seedlings of A. lasiocarpa, Tsuga heterophylla, and T. mertensiana growing under closed forest canopies also had vesicles but at a much lower incidence than seedlings in the openings. The Pinaceae are generally assumed to be ectomycorrhizal, but Glomus-type colonizations occurred on the same seedlings as the ectomycorrhizae. The ecological significance of abundant VAM-type endophytes in otherwise ectomycorrhizal hosts deserves comprehensive study.     

Dynamic changes in nursery and indigenous mycorrhiza ofPinus sylvestris seedlings planted out in forest and clearcuts

The community of indigenous mycorrhizal fungi on planted-out nursery seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) was surveyed for two years at two sites in Sweden. Factors studied were the effect of forests versus clearcuts on these communities, age of clearcut, planting-out in early summer versus autumn, age of planted-out seedlings and time of soil scarification. Analyses of variance and detrended correspondence analysis showed that the relative magnitude of the effects of these factors upon the composition of the ectomycorrhizal community on seedlings planted out was site > time of outplanting > forest/clearcut > age of clearcut > time of soil scarification. In general, clear-cutting had a minor effect, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Nineteen different mycorrhizal types were recorded. After two seasons, seedlings hosted an average of 1.8 indigenous mycorrhizal types and 0.95 nursery mycorrhizal types comprising 35% and 65% of the mycorrhizal roots, respectively.Piloderma croceum colonized seedlings significantly more frequently in forests than in clearcuts, whereas the reverse was found forCenococcum geophilum, and two other mycorrhizal types. However, there is a general agreement between mature coniferous forests and clearcuts as regards both the inoculum potential of dominant fungi adapted to early colonization, and the composition of these fungal species. The fungal adaptations to forests obviously resemble those conditions occurring at clearcuts.     

Photosynthetic rate,needle longevity,and nutrient contents in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea glehnii</Emphasis> growing on strongly acidic volcanic ash soil in northern Japan

Picea glehnii Masters can grow in strongly acidic volcanic ash soil (pH 3.6) in northern Japan. We compared needle longevity, photosynthetic rate, and concentrations of elements in needles, in mature trees of P. glehnii growing in volcanic ash soil and in brown forest soil (pH 5.4). P. glehnii growing in volcanic ash soil showed suppressed photosynthetic rate and growth by the deficiency in nitrogen compared with its growth in brown forest soil. However, the younger needles of P. glehnii growing in volcanic ash soil maintained a high photosynthetic rate, as a result of large amounts of remobilized nitrogen from senesced needles. Needles of P. glehnii growing in volcanic ash soil did not show deficiencies in Ca, Mg, or K. Moreover, Al was at low levels in the needles, suggesting that P. glehnii was able to avoid Al toxicity by Al exclusion. P. glehnii thus exhibits great ability to adapt to an acidic environment.     

Effect of mycorrhizal inocula on the growth of Sitka spruce seedlings in different soils

Summary Different mycorrhizal fungi were tested for their effectiveness in promoting growth of Sitka spruce seedlings, in two contrasting soils, in a glasshouse pot experiment. In nursery soil,Laccaria amethystina significantly improved growth of seedlings in comparison toL. laccata. Seedlings inoculated with a forest isolate ofThelephora terrestris were significantly larger than those inoculated with a nursery isolate when grown in forest soil. The effectiveness ofComplexipes moniliformis in forest soil was poor in comparison to other mycorrhizal fungi. Strains aswell as species of mycorrhizal fungi affect seedling growth differently. These effects are further influenced by soil type.