MYCELIAL DISTURBANCE STIMULATES THE FORMATION OF SPOROMES OF EDIBLE ECTOMYCORRIZHAL FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH TWO NEOTROPICAL PINES Micelial disturbance estimulates edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mycelial disturbance on the formation of sporomes of two edible ectomycorrhizal fungi of great biocultural relevance in Mexico (Laccaria laccata and Hebeloma leucosarx) associated with two Neotropical pines with economic and ecological importance, Pinus greggii and P. montezumae.

Design/methodology/approach: Spore inoculum was produced using grounded pilea of the evaluated ectomycorrhizal fungi, each pine plant was inoculated with 10⁷ to 10⁸ fungal spores. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four treatments and six replicates per treatment, for each pine species, having therefore 48 experimental units, each one consisting in an inoculated tree. During 2 years the production of sporomes was evaluated in the treatments with and without mycelial disturbance. The total duration of the experiment, since tree germination, was 5 years.

Results: The mycelial disturbance significantly stimulated the formation of sporomes in both fungal species, regardless of the associated tree species. The highest sporome formation was recorded in plants inoculated with H. leucosarx compared to those inoculated with L. laccata in both pine species. Mycelial disturbance in Pinus greggi originated a greater number of sporomes compared to P. montezumae.

Limitations on study/implications: The evaluation of factors influencing sporome formation of edible ectomycorrhizal fungi requires long term experiments.

Findings/conclusions: This study shows for the first time that mycelial disturbance increases sporome formation in Neotropical ectomycorrhizal fungi. Additionally, it was recorded a differential influence of the fungal and tree species in the number of produced sporomes. These findings shed some light of potential cultivation methods of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms.