Diversity and growth-effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi of a Nothofagus pumilio forest in the Andes of Southern Chile

Chilean temperate rainforests have unique climatic, edaphic and biotic conditions, constituting pre-industrial blueprint ecosystems. Mycorrhizal associations play a central role in the biogeochemical processes of these ecosystems´ functioning. Baseline forest ecology studies are necessary in order to better understand diversity patterns, specifically regarding mycorrhizal symbiosis. Therefore, here we described the vegetation characteristics and the mycorrhizal relationships of vascular plants in a Nothofagus pumilio forest. We also described, via morphological methods, the ectomycorrhizal diversity present in this forest. Additionally, we determined whether ectomycorrhizal inoculations confer positive growth effects on N. pumilio seedlings. We founded that from 46 described vascular plant species, 42 (91%) were associated with mycorrhizae and of these 33 (72%) were associated with arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), two (the dominant trees N. pumilio and N. dombeyi) were associated with ectomycorrhizae (EM), five were associated with ericoid mycorrhizae, two with orchid mycorrhizae, and four were non-mycorrhizal. Additionally, 26 EM species were detected of which 14 belong to Cortinarius. Finally, there were clear differences in the growth of N. pumilio seedlings inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria laccata compared to non-inoculated plants. We suggest that mycorrhizal fungi play a key role in seedling colonization of extreme environments such as the Andean treeline

PRODUCTIVIDAD DEL HONGO NATIVO Cortinarius austroturmalis EN BOSQUES DE Nothofagus siempreverde y CADUCIFOLIO DE LAS RESERVAS NACIONALES ALTOS DE LIRCAY Y LOS RUILES DE LA VII REGIÓN, CHILE

Los bosques de Nothofagus de la zona mediterránea de Chile, que incluye la VII Región, están constituidos por especies caducifolias y siempreverdes, las cuales se encuentran asociadas a diversoshongos ectomicorrícicos dentro de los que destaca el hongo nativo Cortinarius austroturmalis Moser & Horak (Agaricales, Basidiomycota).Este hongo constituye un Producto Forestal No Maderero (PFNM) poco conocido, cuya productividad no ha sido determinada, lo que implica que la población rural cercana a las Reservas Nacionales Altos de Lircay y Los Ruiles de la VII Región, no lo identifique como un hongo apto para el consumo humano y, por consiguiente, no lo coseche. El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer la productividad de basidiomas del hongo nativo Cortinarius austroturmalis asociado a especies deNothofagus siempreverdes y caducifolias en las Reservas Nacionales Altos de Lircay y Los Ruiles de la VII Región. Las hipótesis propuestas fueron:1) La productividad de basidiomas de Cortinarius austroturmalis en la Reserva Nacional Los Ruiles es mayor que en la Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay, 2) La productividad de basidiomas de Cortinariusaustroturmalis asociados a especies de Nothofagus siempreverdes es mayor que la productividad de este hongo asociado a especies de Nothofagus caducifolias en ambas reservas estudiadas

Arbuscular mycorrhizal assemblages along contrasting andean forests of Southern Chile

Southern Chilean pristine temperate rainforests have been floristically stable during the Holocene, thus representing a pre-industrial baseline of forest ecology. Given this and its edaphic limitations, it is imperative to better understand these forests ecological patterns of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Therefore, here we compare the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) communities in three treeline Nothofagus pumilio contrasting plots of Chilean Andes (a volcano crater, pristine forest, and disturbed forest). The AM community assemblages were determined by morphological identification and spore counting, in three A horizon soil samples by plot. In the same nine soil samples, standard chemical analysis was performed. Eighteen AM species were described; Acaulospora was the most abundant genus. The forest plot had the highest AM species richness compared to the disturbed and crater plots. Interestingly, soils Olsen P (plant available phosphorus), pH, and Al+++ saturation similarly affected the AM assemblages. We suggest that some AM species could be specially adapted to extremely high Al saturation and extremely low plant available P conditions, as those experienced on Andean Nothofagus forests. These species may help initiate biological succession on highly disturbed ecosystems. We suggest that mycorrhizal fungi play a key role in seedling colonization of extreme environments such as the Andean treeline.CONICYT/21150047FONDECYT/1141060FONDECYT/315017

Do new records of macrofungi indicate warming of their habitats in terrestrial Antarctic ecosystems?

Relatively few macrofungi have been historically described from terrestrial environments of the Antarctic Peninsula and its associated archipelagos which are characterized by a moss-dominated vegetation, most of them preferentially or obligatorily associated with bryophytes. During the study of the influence of penguin rockeries to moss communities on the South Shetland Islands, the bryophilous basidiomycetes Rimbachia bryophila and Arrhenia cf. lilacinicolor were found for the first time on King George Island, growing on carpets of Sanionia uncinata. Other bryophilous fungi previously recorded in the same region are Arrhenia antarctica, Omphalina pyxidata and the rare Simocybe antarctica. The detection of the supposedly parasitic R. bryophila, together with other new observations of macrofungi on different hosts in the Antarctic bryoflora could indicate increased sexual reproduction. The likely increase of reproduction as an effect of warming on the terrestrial antarctic tundra should be proven by follow up field studies

Diversidad de musgos en comunidades vegetales asociadas a una pingüinera en la isla decepción, antártica marítima.

[spa] Con el objetivo de determinar la influencia de las pingüineras sobre la diversidad de la vegetación en la Isla Decepción, se estudió la composición de briófitas de un transecto de aproximadamente 2 km entre el Lago Irízar y la pingüinera (Pygoscelis antarcticus) de Punta La Descubierta. Fueron detectados un total de 39 carpetas de vegetación formadas principalmente por briófitos, distribuidas en tres sectores principales, aledaño al Lago Irízar, en Collado Vapor y en Punta La Descubierta. Los briófitos registrados corresponden a 15 especies de musgos y sólo 2 hepáticas, con 11 familias representadas. Se detectó que dos musgos, Sanionia uncinata y Politrychastrum alpinum, con 31 y 9 registros, dominaban las carpetas, con mayor abundancia y frecuencia. Además, se encontró un nuevo registro para la isla del musgo Bryum orbiculatifolium, el cual crece directamente asociado a la pingüinera. Además, se encontró que hay 5 especies de musgos comunes a los tres sectores, aunque otras 5 especies crecen solo en el sector de la pingüinera, diferenciándose esta comunidad de las otras dos. No se detectaron plantas vasculares en todo el sitio de estudio, por lo que se discute la posibilidad de que estos sitios se encuentran en estados de colonización temprana y donde su biota está marcada por la presencia de musgos pioneros que crecen alrededor de las pingüineras, influenciadas probablemente por el aporte de nutrientes del guano depositado.[eng] In order to determine the influence of a penguin rookery on the diversity of the vegetation on Deception Island, Maritime Antarctica, the composition of bryophytes along a transect of approximately 2 km between Lake Irízar and the penguin rookery (Pygoscelis antarcticus) of La Descubierta Point was studied. A total of 39 vegetation carpets formed mainly by bryophytes were detected, distributed between three main sectors, next to Lake Irízar, in Vapour Coil and at La Descubierta Point. The bryophytes correspond to 15 moss species and only 2 liverworts, with 11 moss families represented. Two mosses, Sanionia uncinata (31 records) and Polytrichastrum alpinum (9 records), were found to dominate the moss carpets, being also the most frequent species. In addition, a new site on the island was found with presence of the moss Bryum orbiculatifolium, which grows directly associated with the penguin rookery. Our results also show that there are 5 species of mosses common to the three sectors, another 5 species grow only in the penguin area, differentiating this community from the other two sectors. Vascular plants were not detected, indicating that the studied sites are in state of early colonization where their biota is marked by the presence of pioneer mosses associated to the penguin colony, which probably benefit from the nutrient input derived from the deposited guano

Primer registro de Russula pectinatoides Peck (Basidiomycota, Russulaceae) para Chile First record of Russula pectinatoides Peck (Basidiomycota, Russulaceae) from Chile

Russulapectinatoides (Basidiomycota, Russulaceae), considered a holarctic species, is reported for the first time from Chile. It adds to the list of adventitious Russula and Lactarius species which form mycorrhizal associations with introduced ornamental and forest trees. A detailed description and an updated key for allochtonous agaricoid Russulaceae in Chile are provided

Rizogénesis y micorrización controlada de estacas de avellano europeo ( Corylus avellana L.) con trufa negra ( Tuber melanosporum Vitt.)

Hazelnut ( Corylus avellana L.) is commonly used as mycorrhizal host for Tuber melanosporum Vitt. (black truffle). Black truffle orchards have been established in and outside its natural distribution area, currently also in Chile. Hazelnut can be propagated rapidly by cuttings, which, however, may not easily form mycorrhizal symbiosis under laboratory conditions. We successfully inoculated hazelnut cuttings with T. melanosporum and studied the effects of culture conditions, plant material and inoculum age on rhizogenesis and mycorrhization. Cuttings from sucker shoots showed the highest rooting rate (88.5%). Perlite and vermiculite as substrate increased root length (9.6 cm). Treatment with auxin significantly increased root yield (up to 27 roots per cutting). Larger containers increased the mycorrhization rate (33.6%). Up to 2 year storage of sporal inoculum did not affect mycorrhization. We conclude that root induction in C. avellana cuttings and mycorrhization with black truffle using up to 2-yr-old inoculum, do not present problems when performed under optimized conditions, allowing fast production of plants for commercial and reforestation purposes.El avellano europeo ( Corylus avellana L.) es uno de los simbiontes más comunes utilizados para inocular plantas con Tuber melanosporum Vitt. (trufa negra). Los huertos truferos han sido establecidos tanto dentro como fuera del área de distribución natural de este hongo micorrizógeno, actualmente también en Chile. El avellano europeo puede propagarse rápidamente por estacas. Sin embargo, no es fácil el desarrollo de órganos micorrícicos bajo condiciones de laboratorio. En este estudio se inocularon exitosamente estacas de avellano europeo con T. melanosporum y se estudió el efecto de algunos tratamientos culturales, del material vegetal y tiempo de almacenamiento del inóculo, en el proceso de rizogénesis y micorrización. Las estacas provenientes de chupones tuvieron una mayor capacidad de arraigamiento (88,5%). El uso de perlita y vermiculita como sustrato incrementó la longitud de las raíces (9,6 cm). Los tratamientos con auxinas aumentaron significativamente la producción de raíces (más de 27 raíces por estaca). Por otra parte, el uso de contenedores más grandes permitió incrementar el porcentaje de micorrización (33,6%) y fue posible almacenar hasta 2 años el inóculo esporal sin que se afecte la micorrización. Se concluye que es posible la inducción de raíces en estacas de C. avellana y su micorrización con trufa negra utilizando inóculo de hasta 2 años de almacenamiento, bajo condiciones controladas, permitiendo una rápida producción de plantas para fines comerciales y de reforestación

Registros nuevos de macrohongos asociados a un sauzal (Salix babylonica) en la Estación de Biología Terrestre de Hualpén, Región del Biobío, Chile

A preliminary inventory of macrofungi associated with Salix babylonica in south central Chile is presented. Sporomas of twelve basidiomycetes and one ascomycete were recorded during the 2021 season, functionally dividing into four ectomycorrhizal symbionts and nine wood decomposers. Pholiota conissans and Xerocomellus ripariellus, specialists in alluvial forests, are first records for Chile, along with Cortinarius saniosus and Junghuhnia nitida. Compatibility of endemic lignicolous Anthracophyllum discolor, Clitocybe pleurotus and Pluteus brunneoolivaceus with wood of allochthonous S. babylonica could also be shown

Effect of the geographical origin, culture media, and pH on the growth dynamic of the edible ectomycohrrizal mushroom Suillus luteus

Suillus luteus is the most important wild edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom harvested and exported in Chile. This introduced species forms mycorrhizal symbiosis with Pinus radiata, the most important exotic forest tree. To obtain optimized protocols for the controlled infection of P. radiata trees with this species, it is important to determine the appropriate culture conditions. Therefore, we studied the effect of the geographical origin (three localities from the Maule Region of Chile), culture media (Modified Melin and Norkrans (MMN) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA) 2%), and pH (5.0, 5.8, and 6.5) on the in vitro growth dynamics of S. luteus over 37 days. The results showed significant differences in the growth rate and colony diameter as a consequence of its geographical origin. However, no differences were found for either pH or culture medium. Our results confirm that a non-specific, economical culture medium, such as MEA 2%, may be used to obtain a suitable amount of mycelium for both medium- and large-scale assays of inoculation with this species.Suillus luteus es la especie silvestre de hongo micorrícico comestible más cosechada en Chile, que tiene una importancia económica y silvícola. Es una especie silvestre introducida, que se asocia con Pinus radiata, la especie forestal económicamente más importante del país. Si se quisieran desarrollar metodologías de infección controlada en árboles de P. radiata con este hongo ectomicorrícico, es importante estudiar condiciones apropiadas para su cultivo. Por ello, se estudió el efecto del origen geográfico (tres localidades de la Región del Maule de Chile), del medio de cultivo (Melin y Norkrans modificado (MMN) y extracto de malta agar (MEA) al 2%), y del pH (5,0; 5,8; y 6,5), en la dinámica de crecimiento in vitro de S. luteus durante 37 días. Los resultados indicaron diferencias significativas en la velocidad de crecimiento y diámetro de la colonia, como consecuencia de la procedencia del material fúngico. Sin embargo, no hubo diferencia tanto en el medio de cultivo como en el pH. Esto confirma, para las cepas chilenas analizadas, que es posible emplear un medio de cultivo económico como MEA 2%, con el propósito de producir una cantidad adecuada de biomasa miceliar para futuros programas de micorrización con esta especie

Comunidad ectomicorrícica en una cronosecuencia de Pinus radiata (Pinophyta: Pinaceae) de la zona de transición climática mediterráneo-templada de Chile central The ectomycorrhizal community in a chronosequence of Pinus radiata (Pinophyta: Pinaceae) of the transitional Mediterranean-temperate climatic zone of central Chile

En ecosistemas naturales y plantaciones, las coníferas establecen asociaciones mutualistas con una comunidad diversa de hongos micorrícicos. El estudio de este tema en Sudamérica es aún incipiente, y no existen antecedentes sobre la dinámica temporal de esta comunidad, y menos de sus potenciales causas, a pesar de su importancia para un país forestal como Chile. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la dinámica de la comunidad ectomicorrícica, identificando y cuantificando los hongos formadores de esta asociación en raíces finas de Pinus radiata en plantaciones de 3, 10 y 20 años. Los resultados confirman que la comunidad ectomicorrícica de P. radiata cambia con la edad de los árboles, la cual difiere más bien en el patrón de dominancia que en la riqueza de especies, separándose un primer grupo de árboles de 3 y 10 años de un segundo grupo de 20 años. Un total de once morfotipos de micorrizas fueron diferenciados. Cuatro de ellos, identificados como Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Inocybe sp., Russula sardonia y Pinirhiza spinulosa, fueron los más abundantes (77, 29, 78 y 8 % respectivamente), mientras las otras se encontraron colonizando menos de 100 puntas de raíz (In natural forest ecosystems and plantations, most trees live in mutualistic association with mycorrhizal fungi. Studies of this association in South America are still scarce, especially when referring to the causes of temporal dynamics of this symbiotic community, despite its importance in countries with a thriving forestry industry like Chile. This study evaluates the dynamics of the ectomycorrhizal community of Pinus radiata stands of 3, 10 and 20 years of age, identifying and quantifying the most common fungal colonizers of fine roots in each age class. The results confirm that the mycobiont community changes with host tree age but that age classes differ in dominance patterns rather than in species richness, with the three- and ten-year-old tree cohorts forming a group separate from the 20-year-old trees. A total of eleven ectomycorrhizal root morphotypes could be distinguished. Four of them which were identified as Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Inocybe sp., Russula sardonia and Pinirhiza spinulosa, were the most abundant (77, 29, 78 and 8 % respectively) and were found in more than one root sample whereas the remaining morphotypes accounted for less than 100 (< 7 %) root tips and showed a patchy distribution. Inocybe sp. was only found on root tips of three-year-old trees, characterizing as an early-stage mycobiont. H! crustuliniforme appeared as a multi-stage colonizer in all three age classes but was clearly dominant on roots of three- and ten-year-old trees, whereas R! sardonia was mainly found on roots of 20-year-old trees, classifying as a late-stage species together with the unidentified morphotype Pinirhiza spinulosa which is reported for the first time from Chile. Our results suggest that the observed changes in the ectomycorrhizal community are not induced by the site per se, but are rather an effect of the interaction between the trees and their environment