Characterization and identification of field ectomycorrhizae of Boletus edulis and Cistus ladanifer

Abstract

Field ectomycorrhizae sampled under Boletus edulis and Cistus ladanifer have been characterized and described in detail based on standard morphological and anatomical characters. The described ectomycorrhiza has traits typical of Boletales: whitish with three differentiated plectenchymatous layers in the mantle in plan view forming ring-like structures and rhizomorphs with highly differentiated hyphae. The inflated, smooth cystidia-like clavate end cells on the surface of the rhizomorphs and their slightly twisted external hyphae are additional characterizing features. The Hartig net occupies 1K rows of cortical cells, partly reaching the endodermis. Not all hyphae have clamps. The identification of the fungal symbiont as B. edulis was confirmed by ITS rDNA sequence comparison between mycorrhizas and sporocarps. The singularity of this symbiotic association, as well as its ecological and practical implications, are discussed.

Soil fungal communities in a Castanea sativa (chestnut) forest producing large quantities of Boletus edulis sensu lato (porcini): where is the mycelium of porcini?

“…Our study has demonstrated that it is possible to detect mycorrhizae of B. edulis , B. aestivalis and B. aereus in the field. Mycorrhizae C. sativa formed by these species are morphologically similar to each other and have the anatomo‐morphological features previously described on Cistus ladanifer by Águeda and colleagues (2006) . The only difference was the darker ochre, ochre brown colour although it is well known that this morphological character can vary with age and the species of host plant (Zak, 1973; Giomaro et al ., 2002).…”

Anatomical relations among endophytic holoparasitic angiosperms, autotrophic host plants and mycorrhizal fungi: A novel tripartite interaction

“…This plasticity may constitute a significant adaptive characteristic in the cyclical pattern of loss and accumulation of organic resources due to recurrent fires in Mediterranean ecosystems (Smith and Read, 2008). Although both endo‐ and ectomycorrhizae have been found in Cistaceae, the great majority of studies have dealt with ectomycorrhizae due to their economic importance, mostly utilizing the artificial inoculation of seedlings (e.g., Wenkart et al, 2001; Dickie et al, 2004; Águeda et al, 2006).…”

How Ectomycorrhizae Structures Boost the Root System?

“…While there are genetic and physiological barriers to certain plant-fungus associations (Molina and Trappe 1982), host specificity of ectomycorrhizal fungi does not appear to be absolute (Á gueda et al 2006;Dickie 2007). Thus, the host preference of mycorrhizal fungi reflects a realized, rather than a fundamental, niche.…”