Community composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi in roots of naturally established and cultivated Nothofagus nervosa (raulí) specimens in a native forest of Patagonia, Argentina

FERNÁNDEZ, N; MARCHELLI, P; GHERGHEL, F; KOST, G; FONTENLA, S

FUNGAL ECOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015 vol. 18 p. 36 - 47

1754-5048

Due to its overexploitation during the past century, Nothofagus nervosa is currently includedin conservation and domestication programs, in which ectomycorrhizas play an importantrole. We aimed to describe the abundance and diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcMF) inboth domesticated and naturally established N. nervosa specimens, and to analyse theinfluence of age, seasonality and forest management on EcMF communities. The occurrenceof arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) was also investigated.Fungal diversity and taxonomic identification were assessed by morphotyping andsubsequent ITS-rDNA sequencing. Plant age, seasonality and forest management influencedEcMF communities. Colonization rates were higher than 90 % in all the specimens,and were significantly higher in mature trees and in autumn. The highest EcMF richnessand diversity values were registered in domesticated specimens and in autumn. Most EcMFwere basidiomycetes, belonging mainly to the Cortinariaceae and Tricholomataceae.Arbuscular mycorrhizas were not detected, while DSE were present within N. nervosa roots.Our results and previously published reports showed that some EcMF are capable of colonizingdifferent Nothofagus species. In addition, the EcMF described in natural ecosystemsare different from those colonizing N. nervosa during its cultivation in the nursery. Theseresults improve our understanding of key factors affecting EcMF communities associatedwith Nothofagus in native forests and nurseries (age, season, forest management, cultivationtechniques), and this information is relevant for improving domestication programs.