Diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi naturally established on containerised Pinus seedlings in nursery conditions

The study examined the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi, naturally established on roots of containerised Pinus seedlings in a nursery, using PCR-RFLP and sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. Seventy-two samples, including ectomycorrhizae and fruit bodies, were examined. Molecular typing assigned the fungal symbionts to four ectomycorrhizal Boletales: Rhizopogon rubescens, Suillus bovinus, S. variegatus, and R. luteolus. R. rubescens was abundant (37.5%), while Suillus and R. luteolus species were moderately established (25-26%) and rare (2.8%), respectively. In addition, Rhizopogon species colonised P. nigra ssp. salzmannii seedlings, whereas Suillus species were identified on Pinus nigra ssp. nigra seedlings. The diversity and the ability of these naturally established symbionts under artificial nursery conditions were discussed. The molecular survey investigated here should contribute to successful monitoring of mycorrhizal application under both nursery and plantation conditions.