Diversity and host associations of ectomycorrhizae fungi in fallow lands of the mid-Zambezi valley area, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Fallowing creates land mosaics characterised by vegetation communities at different stages of succession. Such mosaics are expected to harbour mycorrhizal associations that reflect host species composition and diversity. We investigated the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi and their host associations across a fallow crono-sequence of 1–14 years in the mid-Zambezi valley area, Zimbabwe. Five ectomycorrhizal fungi species: Lactarius gymnocarpus, Lactarius sp., Boletus sp., Thelephora terrestris and Amphinema byssoides were recorded from 13 tree species from six families: Combretaceae, Ebenaceae, Fabaceae, Simaroubaceae, Rhamnaceae and Tiliaceae. The results indicated low host specificity among the observed ectomycorrhizal fungi. A Spearman Rank correlation test showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between fallow age and ectomycorrhizal status. The Raup–Crick similarity cluster indicated an interaction between fallow age and ectomycorrhizal fungi status on tree species. Our results support reports on low host specificity for ectomycorrhizal fungi among tropical African plant communities.