Abstract
ABSTRACT Basidiospores of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus microcarpus have an impermeable cell wall, a characteristic that is possibly related to the low germination percentages of these propagules, which makes it difficult to obtain monokaryons and use these spores in inoculants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of commercial bleach on the permeabilization of P. microcarpus basidiospores and to analyze the alterations caused in the cell wall ultrastructure and the viability and germination capacity of these propagules. Fungal basidiospores were collected in eucalyptus plantations and permeabilized using different bleach concentrations and exposure times. The basidiospores were then analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The percentage of permeabilized basidiospores varied with the commercial brand, bleach concentration, and exposure time. Basidiospores of different basidiocarps differed in susceptibility to permeabilization treatment with bleach. Changes in the ultrastructure of permeabilized basidiospores were observed at bleach concentrations of 15 and 50 % for an exposure time of 40 s, with surface changes and loss of the spicules of the outermost layer of the wall. After permeabilization with 5 % bleach for 40 s, 80 % of the permeabilized spores were viable, resulting in the production of fungal colonies after 15 days of incubation of these propagules in the presence of Corymbia citriodora. However, the germination percentage obtained, 0.001 %, was similar to that of non-permeabilized basidiospores, indicating that other factors, besides cell wall permeability, are determinant for the germination process.
Highlights
Ectomycorrhizas are symbiotic associations between soil basidiomycete fungi and roots of tree plants, contributing to the promotion of plant growth and mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses (Smith & Read, 2010; van der Heijden et al, 2015)
Basidiospores of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus microcarpus have an impermeable cell wall, a characteristic that is possibly related to the low germination percentages of these propagules, which makes it difficult to obtain monokaryons and use these spores in inoculants
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of commercial bleach on the permeabilization of P. microcarpus basidiospores and to analyze the alterations caused in the cell wall ultrastructure and the viability and germination capacity of these propagules
Summary
Ectomycorrhizas are symbiotic associations between soil basidiomycete fungi and roots of tree plants, contributing to the promotion of plant growth and mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses (Smith & Read, 2010; van der Heijden et al, 2015). These associations are frequent in forest species of economic interest, such as eucalyptus (ABRAF, 2013). The germination of ectomycorrhizal fungal spores has been studied in several species, and the germination percentages reported in the literature are generally low (Costa, 2002; Pereira, 2004; Pereira et al, 2017). Recalcitrance to germination has been attributed to the impermeability of the cell wall of the spores of this fungus
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