Mycorrhiza of Dryopteris carthusiana in southern Poland

Abstract

The research on mycorrhiza of <i>Dryopteris carthusiana</i> from natural sites and those contaminated by heavy metals (Niepołomice Forest), both on lowlands and mountainous areas in Poland, was carried out. Mycorrhizal colonization of <i>Arum</i>-type was higher in ferns growing on tree stumps than in specimens developing directly on the soil. Additionally, an increase in mycorrhiza intensity and arbuscular richness with the rising ground humidity was observed. In comparison to natural sites, mycorrhizas from the areas contaminated by heavy metals were much less developed and the roots were often infected by parasites. Two morphotypes of mycorrhizal fungi have been described The most common was a fine endophyte (<i>Glomales</i>).