Mycorrhizal associations in Hong Kong Fagaceae

A rapid method of screening has been devised whereby the large seeds (acorns) of Castanopsis, Lithocarpus and Quercus growing in Hong Kong can be germinated in the presence of a variety of known mycorrhizal fungi and observations made on the initiation of host/fungal associations. Early stages of Hartig net formation could be detected in bleached roots, and an observation was made on the antibiotic activity of the mycorrhizal fungus, Pisolithus tinctorius. The method offers a simple and effective means of assessing the potential of fungi to form mycorrhizal associations under non-sterile conditions.