Comparative studies on ectomycorrhizae synthesized with various in vitro techniques using Picea abies and two Hebeloma species

Summary Various in vitro synthesis techniques with Picea abies and two Hebeloma species showed that structures of the mantle and Hartig net of synthesized ectomycorrhizae within the given two fungus species are stable. However, thickness of mantle, and penetration depth and number of hyphal cell rows between cortical cells of the Hartig net are dependent on techniques and substrates. Porous glass balls as substrate in the Erlenmeyer technique seem to suppress or delay mantle and Hartig net formation. With the other techniques (growth pouch, open cuvette, Erlenmeyer with a vermiculite-peat moss mixture) development of the mantle is simultaneous with or shortly in advance of Hartig net formation. The ectomycorrhizae of the two tested Hebeloma species are similar and cannot be morphologically differentiated by the in vitro techniques used.