Host Range of a Select Isolate of the Beneficial Ericoid Mycorrhizal Fungus Hymenoscyphus ericae

Abstract

<jats:p>Studies were conducted to examine the host range of a select isolate of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, <jats:italic>Hymenoscyphus ericae</jats:italic> (Read) Korf and Kernan [American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) #32985]. Host status was tested for 15 ericaceous species, including <jats:italic>Calluna vulgaris, Enkianthus campanulatus, Gaultheria procumbens, Kalmia latifolia, Leucothoe fontanesiana, Oxydendrum arboreum, Pieris floribunda, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron carolinianum, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron mucronulatum</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Vaccinium corymbosum,</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Vaccinium macrocarpon. Arbutus unedo,</jats:italic> an ericaceous species that forms arbutoid, not ericoid, mycorrhizae was used as a negative control. All of the species were colonized by the ericoid isolate with the exception of <jats:italic>Enkianthus campanulatus</jats:italic> and the negative control. The benefits of the association and possible commercial applications are discussed.</jats:p>