Abstract

Majority of autotrophic plants and fungi associate with multiple mycorrhizal partners, with notable exceptions being Gnetum africanum, Pisonia grandis, and Alnus spp from the phytobiont perspective. We hypothesized that an understorey tree species Gnetum gnemon hosts a narrow range of mycobionts as shown in G. africanum and suggested for South American species. Sampling and molecular analysis of G. gnemon root tips revealed that besides Scleroderma spp. this gymnosperm tree associates with several fungal species from unrelated lineages. However, all Scleroderma isolates that associate with Gnetum spp. belong to a narrow clade close to Scleroderma sinnamariense. Our results demonstrate for the first time that specificity for mycobionts may substantially differ within an ectomycorrhizal plant genus.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.