Patterns of nutrient concentration in basidiocarps in western Washington

Abstract

Fruiting bodies and forest floor samples were collected and analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Na content in red alder, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir ecosystems in western Washington. Different genera and species of fungi showed wide variation in the capability of concentrating nutrients within their fruiting bodies. Ranges of nutrient content for fruiting bodies were 0.66–11.27% N, 0.04–2.39% P, 7 – 32 080 ppm Ca, 2975 – 57 404 ppm K, 10–7096 ppm Mg, 3–1727 ppm Mn, 15–3975 ppm Fe, 18–6763 ppm Na, and 15–278 ppm Zn. Nitrogen, P, and K were concentrated in significantly higher levels in fruiting bodies versus the forest floor in all ecosystems. Nitrogen and K were concentrated at levels higher than 1% while P, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Na were concentrated at levels less than 1% of the dry weight of the fruiting bodies. Calcium was not concentrated by fungi in sporocarps, except for Armillariella mellea rhizomorphs (3.2% on dry weight basis). Lignicolous fungi were lower in N and K than nonlignicolous fungi.