Ectomycorrhizal inoculation of containerized Western conifer seedlings.

Abstract

Of 15 ectomycorrhizal fungi inoculated onto five container-grown conifer species (Larix occidentalis, Pinus contorta, P. ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Tsuga heterophylla), only Laccaria laccata and Cenococcum geophilum consistently formed ectomycorrhizae on all conifer hosts. Percentages of mycorrhizal feeder roots were generally high, ranging from 86 on L. occidentalis to 94.5 percent on T. heterophylla for L. laccata and from 48.1 to 81.8 percent on these respective hosts for C. geophilum. L. laccata significantly colonized more feeder roots than C. geophilum for most conifer species. Only P. menziesii seedlings inoculated with C. geophilum were significantly larger than controls. There is a need for further studies with a wider range of fungi.

Citation

Molina, Randy. 1980. Ectomycorrhizal inoculation of containerized Western conifer seedlings. Res. Note PNW-RN-357. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 12 p