Edible Ectomycorrhizal Mushrooms Research Articles

Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Community and Ascoma Production in a Declining Tuber borchii Plantation.

Tuber borchii is an edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom of considerable economic value. Its cultivation has become popular in recent years, but there are few studies on the factors affecting its productivity. In this work, the ascoma production and the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) community of a T. borchii plantation, established in an intensive farming area where this truffle is not naturally present, were studied. Tuber borchii production drastically declined from 2016 to 2021, and ascomata of other Tuber species (T. maculatum and T. rufum) were found from 2017. Molecular characterization of ectomycorrhizae carried out in 2016 identified 21 ECM fungal species, of which T. maculatum (22%) and Tomentella coerulea (19%) were the most abundant. Tuber borchii ectomycorrizae (16%) were almost entirely confined to the fruiting points. The diversity and structure of the ECM community on Pinus pinea were significantly different from those observed on hardwood trees. The obtained results suggest that T. maculatum (a native of the study site) tends to replace T. borchii through a mechanism of competitive exclusion. Although T. borchii cultivation is possible in suboptimal environments, particular care should be taken to limit competition with ECM fungi more suitable for local conditions.

Effects of maturity stage on the antioxidant components levels and antioxidant properties of three edible mushroom species of genus Russula from Côte d'Ivoire

This study aimed to assess the antioxidant capacities of three species of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms of the genus Russula from Côte d'Ivoire as a function of their maturity stage through changes in the contents of the antioxidant components and properties of their extracts. The contents of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and carotenoids were assessed by colorimetric assays whereas ascorbic acid content was estimated by titration. Individual phenolic compounds were analyzed by HPLC for their identification. Three biochemical assays (DPPH scavenging, ABTS scavenging and Ferric reducing antioxidant power) were used to estimate the antioxidant properties. The highest amounts of all the antioxidant components and the majority of individual phenolic compounds analyzed were obtained at the mature stages in the extracts of the three mushrooms. The maximum contents of total phenolic compounds were also obtained in the mature fruiting bodies and were respectively 729.16±0.32, 623.11±0.04 and 832.78±0.01 mg/100g dry matter for Russula lepida, R. mustelina and R. delica. These results were confirmed by the values of the effective concentrations EC50, the lowest of which were obtained at the mature stages and were respectively 0.11±0.03, 0.19±0.09 and 0.09±0.01 mg/ml in terms of DPPH scavenging for R. lepida, R. mustelina and R. delica. This suggests that in terms of the need for natural antioxidants, the mature stage is the appropriate stage for harvesting these mushrooms.

Basidium formation of Rhizopogon roseolus with Pinus thunbergii in agar medium

The edible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushroom Rhizopogon roseolus usually develops basidium and basidiospores in the gleba of its basidiomata. Here, we report a novel production of basidia in laboratory cultures of the edible ECM mushroom. The basidium with sterigma was observed on the old mantle structure (> six months) of the ECM between R. roseolus and Pinus thunbergii in a modified Melin-Norkrans medium that was subjected to a temperature shock from 25 °C to 4 °C. The basidia were cylindrical to clavate, with prominent sterigmata and no basidiospores. The absence of basidiospores might indicate partial development of the basidium structure as a response to environmental stress and incomplete life cycle of R. roseolus. In addition, branched cystidia were evident in two or three clavate-to-ovoid cells. This study suggests the possibility of obtaining the primary mycelium of R. roseolus from pure cultures and may be an alternative genetic source for cultivation purposes. Further observations are required to induce basidiosporogenesis of R. roseolus basidia in an agar medium focusing on manipulation of temperature.

Cultivation studies of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms: successful establishment of ectomycorrhizal associations in vitro and efficient production of fruiting bodies.

Most edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms are harvested in forests or controlled tree plantations; examples include truffles, chanterelles, porcinis, saffron milk caps, and matsutake. This study explored recent advances in in vitro ectomycorrhizal cultivation of chanterelles and matsutakes for successful ectomycorrhizal seedling establishment and the subsequent manipulation of these seedlings for efficient fruiting body production. Chanterelle cultivation studies have been limited due to the difficulty of establishing pure cultures. However, once pure cultures were established in the Japanese yellow chanterelle (Cantharellus anzutake), its ectomycorrhizal manipulation produced fruiting bodies under controlled laboratory conditions. As C. anzutake strains have fruited repeatedly under ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with pine and oak seedlings, mating tests for the cross breeding are ongoing issues. As one of the established strains C-23 has full-genome sequence, its application for various type of ectomycorrhizal studies is also expected. By contrast, Tricholoma matsutake fruiting bodies have not yet been produced under controlled conditions, despite successful establishment of ectomycorrhizal seedlings. At present, the shiro structure of ≈1L in volume can be provided in two y incubation with pine hosts under controlled environmental conditions. Therefore, further studies that provides larger shiro on the host root system are desired for the outplantation trial and fruiting.

The ectomycorrhizal association of Tricholoma matsutake and two allied species, T. bakamatsutake and T. fulvocastaneum, with native hosts in subtropical China

ABSTRACT Accurate identification of edible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushrooms and their host trees in nature is key to commercial production for consumption. For the first time we describe the ectomycorrhizal association of the three most common species of edible matsutake mushrooms with their native host trees in Yunnan Province in China. We collected ECM samples from three different localities in subtropical forests known to be highly productive areas of Tricholoma. Additionally, we collected basidiomata of Tricholoma from the field and markets in Yunnan. ECM samples were analyzed using morphological and molecular methods. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and analyzed the intergenic spacer of cpDNA psbA-trnH to identify basidiomata and plant hosts, respectively. Three species of Tricholoma were identified: T. bakamatsutake, T. fulvocastaneum, and T. matsutake. Four ECM associations in the study area were detected: Tricholoma bakamatsutake + Castanopsis tibetana, T. fulvocastaneum + C. tibetana, T. fulvocastaneum + Pinus yunnanensis, and T. matsutake + P. yunnanensis. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the ECM associations are presented.

Cultivation of Edible Tropical Bolete, Phlebopus spongiosus, in Thailand and Yield Improvement by High-Voltage Pulsed Stimulation

Tropical bolete, Phlebopus spongiosus, is an edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom indigenous to northern Thailand. This mushroom has the ability to produce fruiting bodies without the need for a host plant. In this study, the technological cultivation of P. spongiosus was developed. Cultivation experiments indicated that fungal mycelia could completely colonize the cultivation substrate over a period of 85–90 days following inoculation of liquid inoculum. Primordia were induced under lower temperatures, high humidity and a 12-h photoperiod. Mature fruiting bodies were developed from young fruiting bodies within a period of one week. Consequently, yield improvement of P. spongiosus cultivation was determined by high-voltage pulsed stimulation. The results indicated that the highest degree of primordial formation, number of mature fruiting bodies and total weight values were obtained in cultivation experiments involving a high voltage of 40 kV. The total weight of the mushrooms increased by 1.4 times after applying high-voltage pulses when compared with the control. Additionally, the results revealed that the size of the fruiting body and the proximate composition of the fruiting bodies from high-voltage stimulation treatments were not different from the control. This research provides valuable information concerning successful cultivation techniques and yield improvement by high-voltage pulsed stimulation for the large-scale commercial fruiting body production of P. spongiosus.

Soil Metabarcoding Offers a New Tool for the Investigation and Hunting of Truffles in Northern Thailand.

Truffles (Tuber spp.) are well-known as edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, and some species are one of the most expensive foods in the world. During the fruiting process, truffles produce hypogeous ascocarps; a trained pig or dog is needed to locate the ascocarps under the ground. Truffles in northern Thailand have been recorded in association with Betula alnoides and Carpinus poilanei. In this study, we investigated the soil mycobiota diversity of soil samples from both of these truffle host plants in native forests using environmental DNA metabarcoding to target the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region of the rDNA gene for the purposes of investigation of truffle diversity and locating truffles during the non-fruiting phase. In this study, a total of 38 soil samples were collected from different locations. Of these, truffles had been found at three of these locations. Subsequently, a total of 1341 putative taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained. The overall fungal community was dominated by phylum-level sequences assigned to Ascomycota (57.63%), Basidiomycota (37.26%), Blastocladiomycota (0.007%), Chytridiomycota (0.21%), Glomeromycota (0.01%), Kickxellomycota (0.01%), Mortierellomycota (2.08%), Mucoromycota (0.24%), Rozellomycota (0.01%), Zoopagomycota (0.003%), and unidentified (2.54%). The results revealed that six OTUs were determined to be representative and belonged to the genus Tuber. OTU162, OTU187, OTU447, and OTU530 belonged to T. thailandicum, T. lannaense, T. bomiense, and T. magnatum, whereas OTU105 and OTU720 were acknowledged as unrecognized Tuber species. From 38 locations, OTUs of truffles were found in 33 locations (including three previously known truffle locations). Thus, 30 collection sites were considered new locations for T. thailandicum, T. bomiense, and other unrecognized Tuber species. Interestingly, at 16 new locations, mature ascocarps of truffles that were undergoing the fruiting phase were located underground. All 16 truffle samples were identified as T. thailandicum based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis. However, ascocarps of other truffle species were not found at the new OTUs representative locations. The knowledge gained from this study can be used to lead researchers to a better understanding of the occurrence of truffles using soil mycobiota diversity investigation. The outcomes of this study will be particularly beneficial with respect to the search and hunt for truffles without the need for trained animals. In addition, the findings of this study will be useful for the management and conservation of truffle habitats in northern Thailand.

Mycelial disturbance stimulates the formation of sporomes of edible ectomycorrizhal fungi associated with two neotropical pines

Objective: To determine the effect of mycelial disturbance on the formation of sporomesof two edible ectomycorrhizal fungi of great biocultural relevance in Mexico (Laccarialaccata and Hebeloma leucosarx) associated to two Neotropical pines with economicand ecological importance, Pinus greggii and P. montezumae.Design/Methodology/Approach: Spore inoculum was produced using ground pilei ofthe evaluated ectomycorrhizal fungi; each pine plant was inoculated with 10 7 to 10 8fungal spores. A completely randomized experimental design was used with fourtreatments and six replicates per treatment for each pine species, having a total of 48experimental units, each one consisting in an inoculated tree. During two years thesporome production was evaluated in the treatments with and without mycelialdisturbance. The duration of the experiment, since seed germination, was 5 years.Results: The mycelial disturbance originated a higher formation of sporomes in bothfungal species, regardless of the associated tree species. The highest sporomeformation was recorded in plants inoculated with H. leucosarx compared to those inoculated with L. laccata in both pine species. Mycelial disturbance, originated a highernumber of sporomes in Pinus greggii compared to P. montezumae.Study Limitations/Implications: The evaluation of factors influencing sporomeformation in edible ectomycorrhizal fungi requires long term experiments.Findings/Conclusions: This study shows for the first time that mycelial disturbanceincreases sporome formation in Neotropical ectomycorrhizal fungi. Additionally, adifferential influence of the fungal and tree species on the number of producedsporomes was found. These findings shed some light on potential cultivation methodsfor edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms.

Biochemical profile of two ethnically edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms of southwest India

Edible mushrooms constitute the best natural source of bioactive compounds as well as antioxidants. Two edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms of the Western Ghats of India (Amanita sp. and Astraeus hygrometricus) assessed for the biochemical profile. Aqueous extracts of dried powders of uncooked and cooked fruit bodies of mushrooms were evaluated for their soluble sugars and organic acids, while the methanol extract was used to detect polyphenols. Profiles of soluble sugars, organic acids, and polyphenols differed between the mushrooms as well as uncooked and cooked samples. Uncooked samples of both mushrooms possess higher quantities of sugars, organic acids, and polyphenols. Fructose is a common sugar in uncooked and cooked mushrooms, as well as tartaric acid, myricetin, and ethyl catechol. Trehalose was detectable only in Amanita, which has several industrial applications. Ascorbic acid found in both mushrooms and it is useful as a nutraceutical. Myricetin found in substantial quantities in both mushrooms, which serve as a nutraceutical owing to its antioxidant potential. The p-coumaric acid found in uncooked samples of both mushrooms. The novelty of these uncooked and cooked mushrooms in nutrition and bioactive potential will pave the way to adapt them for the human diet as well as in the production of health-promoting functional foods.

A New Report on Edible Tropical Bolete, Phlebopus spongiosus in Thailand and Its Fruiting Body Formation without the Need for a Host Plant

Phlebopus spongiosus is a well-known edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom indigenous to southern Vietnam. The mushroom specimens collected from northern Thailand in this study were identified as P. spongiosus. This identification was based on morphological characteristics and the multi-gene phylogenetic analyses. Pure cultures were isolated and the relevant suitable mycelial growth conditions were investigated. The results indicated that the fungal mycelia grew well on L-modified Melin-Norkans, and Murashige and Skoog agar all of which were adjusted to a pH of 5.0 at 30 °C. Sclerotia-like structures were observed on cultures. The ability of this mushroom to produce fruiting bodies in the absence of a host plant was determined by employing a bag cultivation method. Fungal mycelia completely covered the cultivation substrate after 90–95 days following inoculation of mushroom spawn. Under the mushroom house conditions, the highest amount of primordial formation was observed after 10–15 days at a casing with soil:vermiculite (1:1, v/v). The primordia developed into a mature stage within one week. Moreover, identification of the cultivated fruiting bodies was confirmed by both morphological and molecular methods. This is the first record of P. spongiosus found in Thailand and its ability to form fruiting bodies without a host plant.

Advances in the cultivation of the highly-prized ectomycorrhizal mushroom Tricholoma matsutake

Matsutake, the fruiting body of Tricholoma matsutake , is among the most economically important edible ectomycorrhizal (EM) mushrooms worldwide. This EM fungus develops “shiros”, which are mycelial aggregations that develop in association with the roots of EM coniferous trees and soil particles in well-drained and nutrient-poor forest soil. The fruiting bodies occur on the periphery of the outward-growing shiro. In spite of vast research, the cultivation of matsutake has been mostly unsuccessful. Commercial demand is therefore met by harvesting the fruiting bodies that naturally occur in forests of EM coniferous trees, mainly Pinus densiflora . Recent inoculation studies have produced mycorrhiza and shiro structures, and the host range of Tr. matsutake and associated species has been clarified. It has also become possible to identify strains of Tr. matsutake by DNA sequencing, which has also been useful to determine the origins of matsutake species in Asia and to elucidate the genetic structure of shiro. In this review, basic research and the outcomes of various trial of matsutake cultivation are discussed. • Matsutake mushroom is highly-prized, but has not yet been cultivated. • Tricholoma matsutake is a pine associated ectomycorrhizal fungus. • Recent techniques have clarified shiro development in chemical and biological terms.

Sibling spore isolates of Tricholoma matsutake vary significantly in their ectomycorrhizal colonization abilities on pine hosts in vitro and form multiple intimate associations in single ectomycorrhizal roots

Abstract Tricholoma matsutake is a commercially important edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom. The ecology of this species has emerged from studies of the genetic background of mycelial colonies in nature. Single putative colonies sometimes comprise several genets. This complex mycelial structure should be subjected to analysis to determine its ecophysiological significance. We tested the ectomycorrhization ability of nine T. matsutake sibling spore isolates. The ectomycorrhizal colonization ratio differed significantly among isolates, and was dependent on the soil nitrogen content. Mixed inoculations of three selected isolates into soils in which single pine seedlings were grown showed that the isolates interacted in the seedling roots. Paired inoculations of isolates #52/#99 and #52/#84, and a triple inoculation of isolates #52/#84/#99 resulted in levels of ectomycorrhizal colonization that significantly exceeded the colonization levels following single isolate inoculation. We suggest that mycelial interaction between sibling isolates is a significant phenomenon that operates within individual ectomycorrhizal pine root tips.

Repeated fruiting of Japanese golden chanterelle in pot culture with host seedlings.

Yellow chanterelles are among the most popular wild edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms worldwide. The representative European golden chanterelle, Cantharellus cibarius, has only once been reported to fruit under greenhouse conditions, due to the difficulty of establishing pure culture. Recently, we developed a new technique for establishing a pure culture of a Japanese golden chanterelle (Cantharellus anzutake), and conducted in vitro ectomycorrhizal synthesis using established strains and Pinus densiflora. Acclimated pine mycorrhizal seedlings colonized with C. anzutake in a pot system under laboratory conditions produced small but distinct basidiomata with developed basidiospores. C. anzutake mycorrhizae were established on Quercus serrata seedlings by inoculation of mycorrhizal root tips of the fungus synthesized on P. densiflora. A scaled-up C. anzutake-host system in larger pots (4L soil volume) exhibited repeated fruiting at 20-24°C under continuous light illumination at 150μmolm-2s-1 during a 2-year incubation period. Therefore, a C. anzutake cultivation trial is practical under controlled environmental conditions.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a wild edible mushroom, Russula griseocarnosa

Russula griseocarnosa is a wild edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom in southern China. In this study, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of R. griseocarnosa. Its total length was 60995 bp with a GC content of 21% and contained a total of 52 genes, including 14 standard protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 21 tRNA genes and 15 free-standing open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis reflected that the evolutionary processes between R. griseocarnosa and some agaricomycetes.

Establishment of monokaryotic and dikaryotic isolates of Hedgehog mushrooms (Hydnum repandum and related species) from basidiospores

Abstract Hydnum repandum and its relatives are gourmet edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms. However, no reliable pure cultures have been reported in this genus. Here, we report for the first time the successful isolation of mycelial strains from basidiospores in the genus Hydnum. Basidiospores obtained from basidioma samples were aseptically inoculated onto modified Norkran's C (MNC) medium, MNC containing n-butyric acid (n-MNC), or MNC with gellan gum instead of agar (G-MNC). Although basidiospore germination was observed in most samples, the isolation rate was higher from MNC (91.7%) and G-MNC (93.8%) than from n-MNC (36.4%). Most established isolates were monokaryotic and lacked a clamp connection, but three were dikaryotic and had clamp connections. Established isolates were identified by molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene. These results suggest that basidiospores can be used to establish monokaryotic and dikaryotic isolates of Hydnum species.

Physiological variation among Tricholoma matsutake isolates generated from basidiospores obtained from one basidioma

Abstract Matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake) is a commercially valuable edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom. The physiological traits of T. matsutake have been previously assessed using mycelial isolates isolated from basidiomata; however, few studies have focused on basidiospores. Here, we report that sibling T. matsutake isolates generated from basidiospores on a single basidioma show distinct physiological variation. We first established 145 isolates of T. matsutake on modified Norkrans' C (MNC) agar medium and found that their radial growth varied significantly. The mycelial biomasses of nine isolates with different growth rates were reduced on low-carbon and low-nitrogen MNC media. However, the colony diam of one isolate was significantly elevated on low-carbon medium, and the colony diam of two isolates were significantly elevated on low-nitrogen medium. In co-cultures of two or three isolates, commensal and amensal interactions were observed. The physiological variation induced by low carbon and nitrogen levels and the mycelial interactions between sibling isolates imply mechanisms for the genetic and functional characteristics of mycelia of T. matsutake.

Ectomycorrhizal inoculation with edible fungi increases plant growth and nutrient contents of Pinus ayacahuite

The international trade of natural Christmas trees generates billions of US dollars annually; the production of such trees in Mexico is a growing industry, delivering around 900,000 trees annually, mainly from the native species Pinus ayacahuite . To survive, this species establishes a mutualistic symbiosis in its roots known as ectomycorrhiza. However, currently no studies have been performed regarding the ectomycorrhizal inoculation effects on P. ayacahuite . In this work, the effect of ectomycorrhizal inoculation on the growth and nutritional content of P. ayacahuite was evaluated using 2 native edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms. After 2 years, the inoculation produced increases of total dry weight and total contents of macro- (N, P and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe) of P. ayacahuite . The mycorrhization percentage of inoculated plants varied between 41% and 59%, depending on the inoculum source. Ectomycorrhizal colonization was confirmed with optical and electron microscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effect on growth and nutrient mobilization by ectomycorrhizae in P. ayacahuite ; and one of the first reports on Fe mobilization in gymnosperms by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Our work also demonstrates the importance of inoculation with Helvella cf. lacunosa and Hebeloma mesophaeum for the production of P. ayacahuite plants in nurseries.

TYPE OF LIGHT AND FORMATION OF BASIDIOMATA OF TWO SPECIES OF EDIBLE ECTOMYCORRHIZAL MUSHROOMS ASSOCIATED WITH NEO-TROPICAL PINES AND THE DESCRIPTION OF BASIDIOMATA DEVELOPMENT

Ectomycorrhiza is a mutualistic symbiosis of paramount importance in the functioning of forest ecosystems. Therefore, inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi, particularly edible species, has gained enormous relevance in the production of forest trees with economic importance. However, due to technical difficulties for the cultivation of ectomycorrhizal basidiomata associated with their host trees, factors influencing basidiomata formation have not been fully understood. This study evaluated the effect of two light wavelengths on the production of basidiomata of two edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom species (Hebeloma leucosarx and Laccaria bicolor) associated with two neo-tropical trees, Pinus montezumae and Pinus greggii. The two fungal species evaluated are widely used as food and sold in traditional markets in México. In general, the type of light differentially influenced the basidioma formation of these fungi in association with host seedlings in greenhouse during six years. Increased basidioma formation of H. leucosarx was observed associated with trees growing in pots covered with yellow filters with a wavelength of ~590 nm compared with those covered with red filters with a wavelength of ~660 nm. Meanwhile, the opposite trend was observed in basidiomata of L. bicolor. The host tree species influenced the formation of basidiomata. Hebeloma leucosarx produced more basidiomata in association with P. montezumae than with P. greggii. In addition, a description of basidiomata formation from very young stages previous to senescence is provided for both mycobionts. To our knowledge, this is the first record of the effect of light wavelengths on the production of basidiomata of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, demonstrating that this phenomenon is more complex than previously believed.

Edible Ectomycorrhizal Mushrooms: A Non-Timber Forest Product of Neotropical Forests and its Relation to Sustainability and Climate Change Mitigation

Edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms (EEM) are a non-timber forest product that constitutes a valuable genetic resource and a nutritious and functional food containing antitumor, antidiabetes, antimicrobial, antihypertensive and antioxidant bioactive compounds, whose sustainable use can contribute to conservation of Neotropical forests. International commerce of some EEM annually is worth billions of dollars, while numerous EEM species represent a valuable food resource and an important source of income for thousands of families in countries with developing economies. Additionally, EEM can be used as biofertilizers which increase nutrient mobilization, health and survival of trees, therefore contributing to successful reforestations. The cultivation of some species of EEM has already been achieved, as in the case of the black truffles in Europe, while efforts in order to cultivate other species currently is being developed in different countries. During the last two decades, ethnomycological and biotechnological research registering EEM consumed in Mexico and selecting species feasible to inoculate Neotropical trees has been conducted by the authors. More than 250 EEM species have been recorded to be consumed as traditional food by 23 ethnic groups in the country; accounting for the second largest biodiversity of EEM worldwide, only after China. The sustainable use of EEM constitutes an important component of forest management, particularly in Neotropical areas with high degree of economic and social margination. Additionally, 25 species of EEM have been tested by the authors e.g. Laccaria, Hebeloma and Suillus species showing increased macro-(N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and micro-(Fe and Ca) nutrient mobilization, photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll a, b and total contents of inoculated plants compared with non-inoculated plants. Conspicuous ectomycorrhizal colonization, up to 100% in some cases, and production of EEM sporomes with 20 tested pine and oak species have demonstrated the feasibility of this biotechnology. Field trials developed in both low- and high-fertility soils have demonstrated increases in the survival of native inoculated pines and oaks; and initial production of EEM sporomes four years after the establishment of tree plantations has occurred. Molecular and metagenomic sequencing of the rRNA S1 and S18 genes studies conducted by the authors, have shown the persistence of the inoculated EEM and conspicuous changes in the microbiomes associated with mycorrhized and non-mycorrized root trees, respectively. This biotechnology has shown to increase natural production of EEM, demonstrating benefits to sustainable ecosystem management and, through successful reforestations, to mitigation of climate change. Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Edible wild mushrooms, Ectomycorrhiza, Non-timber forest products, Environmental sustainability

Transferencia de nutrientes y crecimiento de Pinus greggii Engelm. inoculado con hongos comestibles ectomicorrícicos en dos sustratos

An ectomycorrhiza is a mutualistic symbiosis of paramount importance in forestry and tree production. One of the selection criteria of ectomycorrhizal fungi that has currently gained importance is their edibility due to the economic, ecological and cultural relevance of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms as a non-timber forest product. The effect of the inoculation with three edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms: Laccaria laccata, Laccaria bicolor y Hebeloma leucosarx, which are widely sold in Mexico, on the growth and nutrient contents of Pinus greggii grown in an experimental substrate and a commercial substrate enriched with a slow-release fertilizer, was evaluated. Two years after sowing, differences in terms of shoot and root biomass and macro and micronutrient contents between inoculated and non-inoculated plants, were recorded independently of the fungal species and the substrate. Despite the fact that plants grown in the commercial substrate had higher growth and nutrient contents, their ectomycorrhizal colonization percentages were smaller than those of the plants grown in the experimental substrate. The differences in the nutrient transfer to the inoculated plant shoots among the evaluated fungal species were recorded. Ca mobilization by L. laccata, Na by L. bicolor and Mn by H. leucosarx were observed in the plants growing in the experimental substrate. It has been demonstrated that the selection of substrates constitutes an important factor in the production of ectomycorrhizal plants and that the three evaluated species of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms have an enormous potential in the controlled mycorrhization of P. greggii.