Field mycorrhization and its influence on the establishment and development of the seedlings in a broadleaf plantation in the Basque Country

Abstract

A field mycorrhization was carried out in a relatively small reforested area of the Natural Park of Urkiola (northern Spain), where three fungal inoculum ( Scleroderma citrinum Pers., Pisolithus arhizus (Scop.: Pers.) Rauschert and Leccinum scabrum (Bull.: Fr.) Gray) were used with broadleaf seedlings. The tree species used were beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.), oak ( Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) and birch ( Betula celtiberica Rothm. & Vasc.). In accordance with our results, the field mycorrhization can be considered successful since later one some ectomycorrhizae and carpophores of the fungal species used were found in the experimental plot. Likewise, the data obtained from the measured variables, such as height, root collar diameter, leaf area, amount and type of chlorophylls, carbohydrate content and fluorescence in leaves, indicate that the inoculated seedlings, in many cases, were in better condition than the control ones. The inoculum used S. citrinum was the best suited fungus for Q. pyrenaica and F. sylvatica, while L. scabrum was best for birch seedlings.