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

Abstract

Studies were conducted to examine the host range of a select isolate of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Hymenoscyphus ericae (Read) Korf and Kernan [American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) #32985]. Host status was tested for 15 ericaceous species, including Calluna vulgaris, Enkianthus campanulatus, Gaultheria procumbens, Kalmia latifolia, Leucothoe fontanesiana, Oxydendrum arboreum, Pieris floribunda, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron carolinianum, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron mucronulatum, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Vaccinium macrocarpon. Arbutus unedo, 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 Enkianthus campanulatus and the negative control. The benefits of the association and possible commercial applications are discussed.