Comparative anatomy of roots and mycorrhizae of common Ontario trees

Abstract

The structure of roots and mycorrhizae of trees belonging to 20 important Ontario tree genera were examined. During this study efficient methods for examining root anatomy were developed, and tree root information was compiled. The ultimate lateral roots of most species examined were consistently mycorrhizal, and many species had heterorhizic root systems with separate long and short lateral roots. Tree roots displayed enough structural diversity in features such as thickened, lignified, or suberized walls, and secondary metabolite-containing cells to allow identification of genera. The roots of trees belonged to four major anatomical groups as a result of the major differences between angiosperm and gymnosperm roots, and between those with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) or vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) associations, (i) Members of the Pinaceae had structurally similar heterorhizic roots that had ECM with a cortical Hartig net. (ii) Thuja (Cupressaceae) had distinctive nonheterorhizic roots with phi thickenings and VAM. (iii) Angiosperms with ECM belonged to diverse families, but all had similar heterorhizic root systems with ECM short roots that had an epidermal Hartig net and a narrow cortex of thick-walled cells, (iv) Most angiosperms with VAM had nonheterorhizic roots, and this group had the greatest diversity of root structural features. Possible structural and defensive roles of root features and potential influences of these features on mycorrhizal formation are considered.