14 research outputs found
Mycorrhizal synthesis between Pisolithus arhizus and adult clones of Arbutus unedo in vitro and in nursery
Arbutoid mycorrhizae were synthesized between adult selected
clones of Arbutus unedo L. and Pisolithus arhizus. Two micropropagated
clones were tested: AL1, in vitro and C1 (acclimatized plants)
in nursery and later in a field trial. In vitro, rooted shoots were transferred
to test tubes containing the substrate previously inoculated with
mycelium cultured on agar. In the nursery, two inoculation treatments
were tested (vegetative inocula or dry sporocarps) and compared to control
plants. In the field trial, plants from nursery inoculation treatments
were compared and an additional control treatment using seedlings was
implemented. Plant height was evaluated 4 months later in the nursery
and 20 months later in the field trial. Roots were examined by morphological
and histological studies: a) in vitro plantlets one month after
inoculation and nine months after acclimatization; and b) 20 months after
the field trial was established. Arbutoid mycorrhizae were observed in
vitro one month after inoculation, indicating compatibility between A.
unedo and P. arhizus. These showed the presence of a mantle, Hartig net,
and intracellular hyphal complexes confined to the epidermal root cells.
Arbutoid mycorrhizae were also observed nine months after acclimatiza-
Fund project: This work was supported by a PhD fellowship
(SFRH/BD/37170/2007) from the Portuguese Foundation for Science
and Technology (FCT)
The online version is available at http://link.springer.com
Filomena Gomes ( ) • Esteban San Martin
Filomena Gomes. CERNAS, Dep. Recursos Florestais, Escola Superior
Agrária Coimbra, Bencanta, 3040-316, Coimbra, Portugal, Tel: 351 239
802940, Fax: 351 239 802979, Email: [email protected]
Helena Machado
INIAV, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, IP.,
Av. República, Quinta do Marquês 2780-159 Oeiras, Portugal
A. Portugal • Jorge M. Canhoto
Centre of Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University
of Coimbra, Ap. 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal.
Corresponding editor: Chai Ruihai
tion in inoculated and control plants. In order to confirm the identity of
mycorrhizae, molecular techniques were used, in previously inoculated in
vitro plants, 12 months after acclimatization. Thelephora and Hebeloma
mycorrhizae, two types of highly competitive and widespread mycorrhizae
on nurseries were identified. In the nursery, dry sporocarp
treatment improved plant height after four months. In a field trial (20
months later), plants growth did not show significant differences. By this
time, mycorrhized roots with Cenococcum geophilum and other types
were identified. These results and their implications on A. unedo breeding
program are discussed.F. Gomes was supported by a PhD fellowship
(SFRH/BD/37170/2007) from the Portuguese Foundation for
Science and Technology (FCT)