Differences in the colonization of Pinus banksiana roots by sib-monokaryotic and dikaryotic strains of ectomycorrhizal Laccaria bicolor

Abstract

First-order laterals of Pinus banksiana seedlings were inoculated with variant strains of ectomycorrhizal Laccaria bicolor in an aseptic culture system. Macroscopic observations of 10 fungal strains indicated that 6 are mycorrhizal and 4 are apparently nonmycorrhizal. Furthermore, light microscopic examinations revealed significant intraspecific variation in mycorrhizal structures. The mean mantle thickness, mean mantle density, and mean Hartig net penetration of the six mycorrhizal strains ranged from 2.5 to 13.4 hyphae, 278 to 411 hyphae/mm and 2 to 2.8 root cell layers, respectively. Three of these strains formed fewer macroscopically observable mycorrhizae and developed significantly thinner mantles but their Hartig nets usually separated cortical cells more extensively. Three of the four apparently nonmycorrhizal strains showed infrequent and poor Hartig net development (mean penetration of 0.3 to 0.8 root cell layer), poor surface colonization, and no mantle development. These three strains were better able to colonize long roots. Only one strain could be considered truly nonmycorrhizal because it only colonized root surfaces poorly and never showed mantle or Hartig net formation. The observed intraspecific variability raises questions concerning the determinants of mycorrhiza development and structure.