连续三年夜间增温和施氮对云杉外生菌根及菌根真菌多样性的影响

以西南亚高山针叶林建群种粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)为研究对象,采用红外加热模拟增温结合外施氮肥(NH₄NO₃ 25 g N m^-2 a^-1)的方法,研究连续3a夜间增温和施肥对云杉幼苗外生菌根侵染率、土壤外生菌根真菌生物量及其群落多样性的影响。结果表明:夜间增温对云杉外生菌根侵染率的影响具有季节性及根级差异。夜间增温对春季(2011年5月)云杉1级根,夏季(2011年7月)和秋季(2010年10月)云杉2级根侵染率影响显著。除2011年7月1级根外,施氮对云杉1、2级根侵染率无显著影响。夜间增温对土壤中外生菌根真菌的生物量和群落多样性无显著影响,施氮及增温与施氮联合处理使土壤中外生菌根真菌生物量显著降低,但却提高了外生菌根真菌群落的多样性。这说明云杉幼苗外生菌根侵染率对温度较敏感,土壤外生菌根真菌生物量及其群落多样性对施氮较敏感。这为进一步研究该区域亚高山针叶林地下过程对全球气候变化的响应机制提供了科学依据。     

Determination of chitin in fungi and mycorrhizal roots by an improved HPLC analysis of glucosamine

A method to measure chitin content in fungi and ectomycorrhizal roots with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed. Measurements of fluorescence of 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC-CI) derivatives of glucosamine were made on acid hydrolysates of pure chitin, chitin-root mixtures and fungal-root mixtures. The method was applied on 5 isolates of ectomycorrhizal fungi, and ectomycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris roots. Interference from amino acids was removed by pre-treatment of samples with 0.2 N NaOH. This pre-treatment did not reduce the recovery of chitin, nor did plant material affect the recovery of chitin. The HPLC method was compared with a colorimetric chitin-method by measurements on root-fungal mixtures, with known fungal content. The HPLC method gave estimates of fungal biomass which were equal to the expected while the colorimetric method showed values significantly (p<0.001) lower than the expected. The present chitin method offers a sensitive and specific tool for the quantification of chitin in fungi and in ectomycorrhizal roots.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungi are shared between seedlings and adults in a monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei rain forest in Cameroon

Ectomycorrhizal networks may facilitate the establishment and survival of seedlings regenerating under the canopies of tropical forests and are often invoked as a potential contributor to monodominance. We identified ectomycorrhizal fungi in a monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (Fabaceae) rain forest in Cameroon, using sporocarps and ectomycorrhizae of three age categories (seedlings, intermediate trees, and large trees) and tentatively revealed nutrient transfer through ectomycorrhizal networks by measuring spontaneous isotopic (¹³C and ¹⁵N) abundances in seedlings. Sporocarp surveys revealed fewer ectomycorrhizal fungal taxa (59 species from 1030 sporocarps) than molecular barcoding of ectomycorrhizal roots (75 operational taxonomic units from 828 ectomycorrhizae). Our observations suggest that ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity is similar to that in other mixed tropical forests and provide the first report of the Tuber‐Helvella lineage in a tropical forest. Despite some differences, all age categories of G. dewevrei had overlapping ectomycorrhizal fungal communities, with families belonging to Thelephoraceae, Russulaceae, Sebacinaceae, Boletaceae, and Clavulinaceae. Of the 49 operational taxonomic units shared by the three age categories (65.3% of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community), 19 were the most abundant on root tips of all categories (38.7% of the shared taxa), supporting the likelihood of ectomycorrhizal networks. However, we obtained no evidence for nutrient transfer from trees to seedlings. We discuss the composition of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community among the G. dewevrei age categories and the possible role of common ectomycorrhizal networks in this rain forest.     

Fungal root endophytes of the carnivorous plant Drosera rotundifolia

As carnivorous plants acquire substantial amounts of nutrients from the digestion of their prey, mycorrhizal associations are considered to be redundant; however, fungal root endophytes have rarely been examined. As endophytic fungi can have profound impacts on plant communities, we aim to determine the extent of fungal root colonisation of the carnivorous plant Drosera rotundifolia at two points in the growing season (spring and summer). We have used a culture-dependent method to isolate fungal endophytes and diagnostic polymerase chain reaction methods to determine arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonisation. All of the roots sampled contained culturable fungal root endophytes; additionally, we have provided molecular evidence that they also host arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Colonisation showed seasonal differences: Roots in the spring were colonised by Articulospora tetracladia, two isolates of uncultured ectomycorrhizal fungi, an unidentified species of fungal endophyte and Trichoderma viride, which was present in every plant sampled. In contrast, roots in the summer were colonised by Alatospora acuminata, an uncultured ectomycorrhizal fungus, Penicillium pinophilum and an uncultured fungal clone. Although the functional roles of fungal endophytes of D. rotundifolia are unknown, colonisation may (a) confer abiotic stress tolerance, (b) facilitate the acquisition of scarce nutrients particularly at the beginning of the growing season or (c) play a role in nutrient signalling between root and shoot.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity in orchards of cultivated pecan (Carya illinoinensis; Juglandaceae)

Carya illinoinensis (pecan) belongs to the Juglandaceae (walnut family) and is a major economic nut crop in the southern USA. Although evidence suggests that some species in the Juglandaceae are ectomycorrhizal, investigations on their ectomycorrhizal fungal symbionts are quite limited. Here we assessed the ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity in cultivated orchards of C. illinoinensis. Five pecan orchards in southern Georgia, USA, were studied, three of which were known to fruit the native edible truffle species Tuber lyonii. We sequenced rDNA from single ectomycorrhizal root tips sampled from a total of 50 individual trees. Mycorrhizae were identified by ITS and LSU rDNA sequence-based methods. Forty-four distinct ectomycorrhizal taxa were detected. Sequestrate taxa including Tuber and Scleroderma were particularly abundant. The two most abundant sequence types belonged to T. lyonii (17%) and an undescribed Tuber species (~20%). Because of our interest in the ecology of T. lyonii, we also conducted greenhouse studies to determine whether this species would colonize and form ectomycorrhizae on roots of pecan, oak, or pine species endemic to the region. T. lyonii ectomycorrhizae were formed on pecan and oak seedlings, but not pine, when these were inoculated with spores. That oak and pecan seedling roots were receptive to truffle spores indicates that spore slurry inoculation could be a suitable method for commercial use and that, ecologically, T. lyonii may function as a pioneer ectomycorrhizal species for these hosts.     

The extraction and quantification of ergosterol from ectomycorrhizal fungi and roots

Recently, ergosterol analysis has been used to quantify viable fungal biomass in resynthesized ectomycorrhizae. An objective of our study was to quantify ergosterol in a range of ectomycorrhizal isolates under differing growth conditions. In addition, we tested the applicability of the method on field-collected roots of ectomycorrhizal and vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal plants. Quantification of sitosterol as a biomass indicator of plant roots was also undertaken. Ergosterol was not detected in roots of uninoculated Betula populifolia seedlings, and sitosterol was not detected in an ectomycorrhizal fungal isolate but was present in birch roots. Ergosterol was produced in all isolates examined, which represented the major orders of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The range of values obtained, from 3 to nearly 18 g ergosterol mg^-1 dry mass, agrees well with reported values for other mycorrhizal and decomposer fungi. Hyphal ergosterol was the same during growth on phytic acid and KH₂PO₄. Reduction of growth temperature from 25° C to 15° C had little effect on ergosterol content of cultures harvested at similar growth stages. Ergosterol and sitosterol were detected in field-collected ectomycorrhizae of B. populifolia and Pinus sylvestris and VA mycorrhizae of Acer rubrum and Plantago major. Both ergosterol content and ergosterol to sitosterol ratios were significantly lower in VA mycorrhizae than ectomycorrhizae. Calculations of viable fungal biomass associated with field-collected roots were in agreement with those reported by others using the method on resynthesized ectomycorrhizae. Estimates of total mass could be obtained for field-collected B. populifolia roots by a simultaneously using ergosterol to estimate fungal biomass and sitosterol to estimate root mass. Some potential applications and limitations of sterol quantification in studies of mycorrhizal physiology and ecology are discussed.     

荧光蛋白在双色蜡蘑中的构建与表达

菌根是真菌与植物之间形成的互惠互利的营养共生体,对生态环境有重大的意义。外生菌根真菌与植物互作机制以及真菌基因功能的深入研究都需要对菌根真菌进行遗传转化,本研究以外生菌根真菌模式生物双色蜡蘑(Laccaria bicolor)为研究对象,选择细胞核中的核小体蛋白H₂B基因为目的基因,以pCEBN为表达载体,融合红色荧光蛋白,最终构建在真菌中表达的双元载体,使用根瘤农杆菌介导转化法转化双色蜡蘑菌丝,随后利用PCR对真菌转化子进行验证后,通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察到菌丝细胞核中的红色荧光,成功将融合荧光蛋白转化菌根真菌,为后续研究菌根真菌中基因的亚细胞定位提供了实验平台。结果表明,利用双元载体和农杆菌转化方法,建立了高效的双色蜡蘑转化体系(93.33%),在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察到菌丝细胞核中红色荧光信号,验证了融合荧光蛋白在双色蜡蘑中的成功表达。本研究成功地构建了菌根真菌中的核小体蛋白和红色荧光蛋白融合表达的真菌转化体系。     

An ericoid shrub plays a dual role in recruiting both pines and their fungal symbionts along primary succession gradients

Relative importance of positive and negative interactions between plant species may change along disturbance and resource gradients. Positive interactions are suggested to prevail in low resource, low productivity (high stress) conditions and negative interactions in high resource availability. A dwarf shrub, mountain crowberry Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, is known to have allelopathic impacts on both Scots pine Pinus sylvestris and its ectomycorrhizal symbionts. We aimed to study if the outcome of Empetrum impacts on Scots pine changes along primary succession gradients on the dune shores of Bothnian Bay, in Finland, where abiotic stress gradually changes to biotic stress along the succession. We found that Empetrum may act as a facilitator despite its allelopathic effects, since the proportion of Scots pine seedlings established in Empetrum patches was higher than in patches without the shrub in early and mid succession stages, whereas patches without Empetrum were preferred in late succession. The amount of mycelial fungal biomass (ergosterol) in the soil in the vicinity of the seedling roots was higher in Empetrum patches than in patches without Empetrum and it increased along the succession gradient. Proportion of pine root tips colonised by suilloid morphotypes with abundant external mycelia and the diversity of ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were higher in mid successional stage in Empetrum patches compared to patches without Empetrum. Our results suggest that in the harsh physical conditions of the dune shore Empetrum facilitates pine seedling establishment in the early and mid stages of succession by providing mechanical and physical shelter whereas in late succession negative interactions (competition and allelopathy) between the shrub and the pine are dominating. To our knowledge we present the first finding that an ericoid mycorrhizal shrub could enhance both the performance of the ectomycorrhizal host tree and the tree's fungal symbionts.     

The effect of fertilization on the below-ground diversity and community composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)

Fertilization typically reduces ectomycorrhizal diversity shortly after its application but less is known about its longer-term influence on fungal species. Long-term effects are important in forests where fertilizer is rarely applied. We compared fungal species composition in western hemlock control plots with plots last fertilized 7 years ago with nitrogen (N) or nitrogen plus phosphorus (N + P). The N + P fertilization had a significant lingering effect, increasing the tree size and foliar P content of the western hemlocks. From ectomycorrhizal roots of 24-year-old trees from northern Vancouver Island, Canada, we identified fungi from 12 samples per treatment, by amplifying, cloning, and sequencing fungal ribosomal DNA fragments, placing sequences with 97% or more identity in the same operational taxonomic unit (OTU). Diversity was high across treatments; we detected 77 fungal OTUs, 52 from ectomycorrhizal genera, among 922 clone sequences. The five most frequent OTUs were similar in abundance across treatments. Only 19 OTUs matched any of the 197 previously reported ectomycorrhizal species of western hemlock. Species composition but not diversity in nitrogen plus phosphorus plots differed significantly from control or nitrogen plots. Two Cortinarius OTUs were indicator species for nitrogen plus phosphorus plots and presence of Cortinarius cinnamomeus was correlated with control or nitrogen plots. After 7 years, fertilization history had made no detectable difference in ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity, but long-lasting changes in environment resulting from fertilization had a lingering effect on fungal ectomycorrhizal species composition. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Suppression of common root pathogens by helper bacteria and ectomycorrhizal fungi in vitro

 Root pathogens cause considerable loss of tree seedlings in nurseries and are generally difficult to control using conventional methods. Inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi may provide some suppression of pathogens. Bacteria (so-called mycorrhization helper bacteria) have been isolated that stimulate mycorrhiza formation on seedling roots and enhance seedling growth; however, their role in pathogen inhibition has not been explored. Four strains of helper bacteria were inoculated together with the ectomycorrhizal fungal species Laccaria bicolor, L. proxima and Suillus granulatus on culture plates to determine inhibition of the pathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Cylindrocarpon sp. Buffered medium was used to rule out acidification of the medium as a mechanism of inhibition. None of the ectomycorrhizal fungal species alone inhibited the growth of Fusarium but all showed slight inhibition of Cylindrocarpon growth. Helper bacterium strain MB3 (Bacillus subtilis) was effective in inhibiting both pathogens and, when inoculated with either L. proxima or S. granulatus, inhibition of Fusarium growth was enhanced over MB3 alone. With Cylindrocarpon, however, only S. granulatus inoculated along with MB3 showed enhanced inhibition over MB3 alone. The other three bacterial strains had little effect on the growth of Fusarium or Cylindrocarpon. More research is necessary to determine if these inhibitory effects are reproducible in situ. Accepted: 23 October 1996     

Fungal content of ectomycorrhizal tips: comparison among 13 tree species

To better understand soil carbon cycling in forest ecosystems, we studied the proportion of fungal sheath area (FSA) in the cross-sectional ectomycorrhizal area in 13 tree species. Ectomycorrhizal samples were collected from subalpine and temperate forests in Japan. The FSA values were in the range of 12% to 56% across all tree species, tree ages, and fungal species. In Abies firma and Quercus serrata, the FSA values were larger in mature trees than in seedlings, whereas no such differences were found in Pinus densiflora and Fagus crenata. In broad-leaved trees, because the plant tissue radii lay within a narrow range, the FSA was affected mainly by the fungal sheath thickness. In conifers, however, the plant tissue radii varied widely among genera, so the FSA was affected by both the plant tissue radius and the fungal sheath thickness. Our findings suggest that the fungal content of ectomycorrhizal tips differs among tree species and fungal species, so that both parameters must be considered in studies of forest carbon cycling. The estimates revealed that data gathering in each type of forest leads to more accurate estimates of the biomass of fungi in ectomycorrhizal tips.     

Effects of isolates of ectomycorrhizal fungi and endophytic Mycelium radicis atrovirens that were dominant in soil from disturbed sites on growth of Betula platyphylla var. japonica seedlings

Effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi and endophytic Mycelium radicis atrovirens Melin (MRA) on growth of Betula platyphylla var. japonica seedlings were investigated under aseptic culture conditions. Three isolates of ectomycorrhizal fungi and two isolates of MRA were used. One MRA isolate was Phialocephala fortinii. Previous field work revealed that these isolates were dominant on the roots of B. platyphylla var. japonica seedlings grown in a mineral subsoil that had been exposed by the removal of surface soil. After a 100-day incubation, the growth of the seedlings was significantly enhanced by the colonization of these ectomycorrhizal fungal isolates as compared with uninoculated seedlings. In contrast, the growth of seedlings was retarded by the colonization of the MRA isolates. The growth of seedlings that were co-inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi and MRA was similar to that of uninoculated seedlings in most cases. These results suggest that ectomycorrhizal fungi have a beneficial effect on the growth of B. platyphylla var. japonica seedlings and that they suppress the deleterious effect of MRA. Thus, these ectomycorrhizal fungi probably have an important role in establishing B. platyphylla var. japonica seedlings during the initial stage of re-vegetation following site disturbance by the removal of surface soil.     

An overview of Cistus ectomycorrhizal fungi

The genus Cistus comprises a group of about 20 shrub species found in wide areas throughout the whole Mediterranean region to the Caucasus. Being one of the main constituents of the Mediterranean-type maquis, this plant genus is peculiar in that it has developed a range of specific adaptations to resist summer drought and frequent disturbance events, such as fire and grazing. In addition, it can form both ectomycorrhizas and arbuscular mycorrhizas. In this paper, we review the information available on the ectomycorrhizal fungi of Cistus across its entire geographic range, as gathered and critically sifted from both published literature sources and personal observations. Although the resulting data matrix was based primarily on accounts of sporocarp inventories in the field, existing knowledge on the features of Cistus natural and synthesized ectomycorrhizas was also included and discussed. In total, more than 200 fungal species belonging to 40 genera have been reported so far to be associated with Cistus. An analysis of the pattern of ectomycorrhizal diversity and host specificity revealed that members of the Cortinariaceae and Russulaceae make the most of both Cistus-aspecific and Cistus-specific mycobionts. Further studies are needed to expand our preliminary knowledge of the mycorrhizal ecology and biology of Cistus and its fungal associates, focusing on topics such as mycobiont diversity, host specificity, fungal succession, mycorrhizal influence on stress tolerance, and impact of disturbances, while comparing the findings with those from other ecosystems.     

Soil Bacterial Diversity Responses to Root Colonization by an Ectomycorrhizal Fungus are not Root-Growth-Dependent

The hypothesis tested in this present study was that the ectomycorrhizosphere effect on the bacterial community was not root-growth-dependent. The impacts of ectomycorrhizal infection (Pisolithus albus COI007) and a chemical fertilization to reproduce the fungal effect on root growth were examined on (1) the structure of bacterial community and (2) fluorescent pseudomonad and actinomycete populations in the mycorrhizosphere of Acacia auriculiformis using both culture-independent and culture-dependent methods. A. auriculiformis plants were grown in disinfested soil in pots with or without addition of the ectomycorrhizal fungus or N/P/K fertilization (to reproduce the fungal effect on root growth) for 4 months and then transferred to 20-L pots filled with nondisinfested sandy soil. The fungal and fertilizer applications significantly improved the plant growth after 4-month culture in the disinfested soil. In the nondisinfested cultural substrate, these positive effects on plant growth were maintained. The total soil microbiota was significantly different within the treatments as revealed from DNA analysis [denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)]. The structure of fluorescent pseudomonad populations was also affected by fungal and fertilizer applications. In contrast, no qualitative effect was observed for the actinomycete communities within each treatment, but fungal inoculation significantly decreased the number of actinomycetes compared to the fertilizer application treatment. These results show that the mycorrhizosphere effect is not root-growth-dependent but is mainly due to the presence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus and more particularly to the extramatrical mycelium.     

Ectomycorrhizas and putative ectomycorrhizal fungi of Shorea leprosula Miq. (Dipterocarpaceae)

 The ectomycorrhizas of Shorea leprosula Miq. are described and their putative fungal associates discussed. Of the 24 ectomycorrhizal types reported from seedlings, wildlings and 20-year-old trees of Shorea leprosula, 20 were associated with the Basidiomycotina, two with the Ascomycotina and two with either members of the Ascomycotina or the Russulaceae. The dominant group of fungi associated with Shorea leprosula ectomycorrhizas were members of the Russulaceae. This was confirmed by collections of fungal fruiting bodies made under adult Shorea leprosula trees in various parts of Peninsular Malaysia over a period of 3 years. Of the 28 species of putative ectomycorrhizal fungi collected, 15 were members of the Russulaceae. Accepted: 26 March 1997     

Ectomycorrhizal morphotypes of naturally grownAbies firma seedlings

Ectomycorrhizas of naturally grown Momi fir (Abies firma) seedlings were characterized based on morphological features of fungal partners. A total of 128 seedlings were collected over three years (1995–1997) from a 10×30 m plot where occurrences of ectomycorrhizal fungal fruitbodies were monitored for the same period. Thirty-seven morphologically distinct ectomycorrhizal types were distinguished based mainly on the color of ectomycorrhizas and the characteristics of fungal mantles. Type 37 was thought to beCenococcum geophilum because of the jet-black mycorrhizas and the characteristic structure of mantle surfaces. For half of the classified morphotypes, fungal partners were inferred to be the generaLactarius, Russula, andTuber, and unidentified Basidiomycetes, based on earlier references.     

Community composition of root‐associated fungi in a Quercus‐dominated temperate forest: “codominance” of mycorrhizal and root‐endophytic fungi

In terrestrial ecosystems, plant roots are colonized by various clades of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi. Focused on the root systems of an oak‐dominated temperate forest in Japan, we used 454 pyrosequencing to explore how phylogenetically diverse fungi constitute an ecological community of multiple ecotypes. In total, 345 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of fungi were found from 159 terminal‐root samples from 12 plant species occurring in the forest. Due to the dominance of an oak species (Quercus serrata), diverse ectomycorrhizal clades such as Russula, Lactarius, Cortinarius, Tomentella, Amanita, Boletus, and Cenococcum were observed. Unexpectedly, the root‐associated fungal community was dominated by root‐endophytic ascomycetes in Helotiales, Chaetothyriales, and Rhytismatales. Overall, 55.3% of root samples were colonized by both the commonly observed ascomycetes and ectomycorrhizal fungi; 75.0% of the root samples of the dominant Q. serrata were so cocolonized. Overall, this study revealed that root‐associated fungal communities of oak‐dominated temperate forests were dominated not only by ectomycorrhizal fungi but also by diverse root endophytes and that potential ecological interactions between the two ecotypes may be important to understand the complex assembly processes of belowground fungal communities.     

Ectomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizal fungal fruit bodies in pine stands differentially damaged by pine wilt disease

We surveyed ectomycorrhizae, ectomycorrhizal fungal fruit bodies, and soil physical properties in one heavily damaged and two lightly damaged pine stands on Mt. Tsukuba, central Japan. The rate of ectomycorrhizal root tips was not different between heavily and lightly damaged pine stands. For ectomycorrhizae, Cenococcum geophilum had high relative abundance in the heavily damaged pine stand. The number of ectomycorrhizal fungal fruit bodies in the heavily damaged pine stand was much lower than that in the lightly damaged pine stands.     

外生菌根对干旱胁迫的响应

从外生菌根真菌、外生菌根共生体以及外生菌根的间接作用等方面阐述外生菌根如何抵制干旱胁迫,并对未来我国外生菌根的研究提出了建议。干旱可以抑制外生菌根真菌的生长并降低其群落中真菌的多样性,干旱胁迫下外生菌根真菌子实体可以利用深度30cm以下的土壤水,子实体的表面积和体积比可作为筛选抗旱真菌的一个重要因子;在遭受干旱胁迫时,外生菌根共生体可以发生形态变化来应对干旱,同时增加了植株水分的吸收并改善了植物的光合作用、活性氧以及激素等相关代谢;外生菌根对植物生长的促进作用、增加土壤碳汇以及对其他根际微生物生长的促进作用等对宿主植物应对干旱胁迫有利。未来我国外生菌根研究应加强对干旱区优良菌-树组合的筛选工作,同时加大对乡土外生菌根真菌资源的调查力度,未来研究应重点向分子生物学领域推进。     

Host plants and edaphic factors influence the distribution and diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungal fruiting bodies within rainforests from Tshopo,Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ectomycorrhizal fungi constitute an important component of forest ecosystems that enhances plant nutrition and resistance against stresses. Diversity of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi is, however, affected by host plant diversity and soil heterogeneity. This study provides information about the influence of host plants and soil resources on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungal fruiting bodies from rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Based on the presence of fungal fruiting bodies, significant differences in the number of ectomycorrhizal fungi species existed between forest stand types (p < 0.001). The most ectomycorrhizal species‐rich forest was the Gilbertiodendron dewevrei‐dominated forest (61 species). Of all 93 species of ectomycorrhizal fungi, 19 demonstrated a significant indicator value for particular forest stand types. Of all analysed edaphic factors, the percentage of silt particles was the most important parameter influencing EcM fungi host plant tree distribution. Both host trees and edaphic factors strongly affected the distribution and diversity of EcM fungi. EcM fungi may have developed differently their ability to successfully colonise root systems in relation to the availability of nutrients.