No abstract

SUMMARYThe paper-sandwich technique for simultaneous inoculation of populations of root apices, was used to produce numbers of synchronously developing ectomycorrhizas, and to permit direct time-sequencing of stages in the infection process in eucalypts. After one day there was evidence of chemical interaction hetween fungus and host. By two days, sheath formation had started in the cap region, cap cells were invaded hy fungus, and apical root tissues commenced to swell. By four days all the anatomical features of an ectomycorrhiza were present, including the Hartig net. Thereafter, mycorrhizal features were merely enhanced and perpetuated hy subsequent acrogenous development of the fungus-root dual organ. The process of mycorrhizal perpetuation involved the same sequence of events (sheath development at the apex associated with invasion of cap cells, modification of other root tissues, then finally formation of Hartig net) as did the initial infection process.

SUMMARYVesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi were observed together in the same root system, and even within the same root apices, of seedlings of Eucalyptus dumosa A. Cunn. ex Schau. On a population basis, there was a succession of two overlapping mycorrhizal epidemics-VA mycorrhizas followed by ectomycorrhizas.This succession was interpreted as follows. Early build-up of VA mycorrhizas was related to initial higher inoculum potential of that fungus and to rapidity of colonization of individual roots. The ectomycorrhizal fungus was more successful later in achieving secondary infections by hyphal spread and in colonization of lateral root branches. The ectomycorrhizal fungus had no difficulty infecting pre-existing VA mycorrhizas, but the ectomycorrhizal sheath provided a barrier to subsequent VA mycorrhizal infections. While the proportion of VA mycorrhizas to ectomycorrhizas changed between two and five months, the overall proportion of mycorrhizal roots remained constant, suggesting that there could be competition between the different fungi for limiting substrate.

Levels of colonisation by vesicular-arbuscular (VA)-mycorrhizal fungi were compared between adjacent farms, one operated in a conventional manner and the other run according to organic farming principles. Wheat grown on the organic farm was found to have VA-mycorrhizal colonisation levels consistently 2 to 3 times higher than wheat on the conventional farm. Glasshouse and field trials indicated that the lower colonisation levels on the conventional farm were due to continual use of fertiliser containing soluble phosphorus (P). The fertiliser appeared to have an immediate negative effect on the rate of colonisation, and also appeared to have a long term negative effect through maintaining higher levels of soluble P in the soil, and by decreasing inoculum levels. Use of the relatively insoluble reactive rock phosphate fertiliser on the organic farm did not decrease levels of VA-mycorrhizas. Colonisation levels did not vary between wheat varieties, and herbicides and seed dressings were also not found to be having any significant effect on levels of colonisation.

SUMMARYOxalic acid produced by an isolate of the mycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus (Batsch. ex Fr.) Fr. in still broth culture was assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Production of oxalic acid per unit of mycelium was influenced by nitrogen source and concentrations of exogenous calcium and bicarbonate ions. Nitrate-grown mycelia produced large quantities of oxalic acid; ammonium-grown mycelia produced small quantities regardless of what other ions were present. Calcium concentrations between 10 and 50 meq T^ slightly enhanced oxalic acid production in the presence of nitrate; concentrations between 250 and 500 meq 1"^ depressed production. Small additions of bicarbonate ions substantially increased oxalic acids production when nitrate was present. When calcium was present, most of the oxalic acid was associated with the mycelium, probably as calcium oxalate. In the absence of calcium, most of the oxalic acid occurred free in the culture medium. It is concluded that in calcareous soils, bicarbonate and nitrate are more important than calcium in stimulating oxalate production. The significance and underlying mechanisms of oxalate production are discussed.