Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Scleroderma

  • Chapter
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Key Genera in Profile

Abstract

Scleroderma is a common and widespread gasteromycete genus which produces macroscopic sporocarps termed “earthballs” amongst leaf litter, grass or on bare soil in or adjacent to forested areas (Fig. 7.1). These brown, leathery, rounded structures become dry and crack at maturity, and the dry, powdery basidiospores are dispersed by the wind blowing through fissures in the upper surface of the basidiome. The ectomycorrhizal (ECM) status of many Scleroderma species is proven, but in some cases the relationship is inferred rather than established, and several also appear capable of a free-living saprotrophic existence. Scleroderma citrinum Pers. (syn. S. aurantium Viall.: Pers., S. vulgare Horn.), for example, occurs as a saprotroph on rotting wood but has also been demonstrated to form typical ECM. Richter and Bruhn (1989a) used data collected from enzyme tests to suggest the genus was wholly mycorrhizal rather than partly saprotrophic. The basidiomes are not edible and there are reports of mild toxic effects on mammals following ingestion. Basidiomes of Scleroderma have been reported as hosts for fungicolous fungi. For example, basidiomes of Xerocomus parasiticus (Fr.: Fr.) Gilb. are found occasionally growing out from basidiomes of S. citrinum, but this unique relationship has not been reported for other Scleroderma species. Moribund basidiomes of S. citrinum are frequently overgrown by Sepedonium chrysospermum (Bull.: Fr.) Link, a fungicolous species which also grows on other species as well as the related ECM genera Paxillus and Boletus (Jeffries and Young 1994).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aggangan N, Dell B, Malajczuk N (1996) Effects of soil pH on the ectomycorrhizal response of Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake seedlings. New Phytol 134: 539–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antibus RK, Sinsabaugh RL, Linkins AE (1992) Phosphatase activities and phosphorus uptake from inositol phosphate by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Can J Bot 70: 794–801

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ba AM, Thoen D (1990) First syntheses of ectomycorrhizas between Afzelia africana Sm. ( Caesalpinioideae) and native fungi from West Africa. New Phytol 114: 99–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Ba AM, Garbaye J, Dexheimer J (1991) Influence of fungal propagules during the early stage of the time sequence of ectomycorrhizal colonization on Afzelia africana seedlings. Can J Bot 69: 2442–2447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartolome HT, De La Cruz RE, Aggangan NS (1988) Pilot testing of mycorrhizal tablets for pines and eucalypts in the Philippines. Proc UNESCO Regional Workshop on Development and Production of Mycorrhizal Inoculants. Biotech UPLB College, Laguna

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckjord PR, McIntosh MS (1983) Growth and fungal retention by field-planted Quercus rubra seedlings inoculated with several ectomycorrhizal fungi. Bull Torrey Bot Club 110: 353–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beckjord PR, McIntosh MS (1984) Growth and fungal persistence by Quercus rubra inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi and planted on a clear-cutting and strip mine. Can J Bot 62: 1571–1574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beckjord PR, Melhuish JM, McIntosh MS, Hacskaylo E (1983) Effects of nitrogen fertilization on growth and ectomycorrhizal formation of Quercus alba, Q. rubra, Q. falcata and Q. falcata var. pagodifolia. Can J Bot 61: 2507–2514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beckjord PR, Melhuish JM, Hacskaylo E (1986) Ectomycorrhiza formation on sawtooth oak by inoculation with basidiospore chips of Pisolithus tinctorius and Scleroderma citrinum. J Environ Hortic 4: 127–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Botton B, Dell B (1994) Expression of glutamate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase in eucalypt mycorrhizas. New Phytol 126: 249–257

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess TI, Malajzuk N, Grove TS (1993) The ability of 16 ectomycorrhizal fungi to increase growth and phosphorus uptake of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and E. diversicolor F. Muell. Plant Soil 153: 155–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Castellano MA (1996) Outplanting performance of mycorrhizal inoculated seedlings. In:Mukerji KG (ed) Concepts in mycorrhizal research. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 223–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu-Chou M (1979) Mycorrhizal fungi of Pinus radiata in New Zealand. Soil Biol Biochem11: 557–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Colpaert JV, Van Assche JA (1992a) Zinc toxicity in ectomycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris. Plant Soil 143: 201–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colpaert JV, Van Assche JA (1992b) The effects of cadmium and the cadmium-zinc interaction on the axenic growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Plant Soil 145: 237–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colpaert JV, Van Assche JA (1993) The effects of cadmium on ectomycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris L. New Phytol 123: 325–333

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colpaert JV, Van Laere A, Van Assche JA (1996) Carbon and nitrogen allocation in ectomycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings. Tree Physiol 16: 787–793

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dell B, Malajzuk N, Bougher NL, Thomson G (1994) Development and function of Pisolithus and Scleroderma ectomycorrhizas formed in vivo with Allocasuarina, Casuarina and Eucalyptus. Mycorrhiza 5: 129–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodd JC, Jeffries P, De La Cruz R (1996) The use of mycorrhizal fungi in reforestation programmes in the Philippines. Final Report, EU Contract CI1*-CT91–0904, STD3 Programme, DG XII, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunabeita MK, Hormilla S, Salcedo I, Pena JI (1996) Ectomycorrhizae synthesized between Pinus radiata and eight fungi associated with Pinus spp. Mycologia 88: 897–908

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ek H, Andersson S, Söderström B (1996) Carbon and nitrogen flow in silver birch and Norway spruce connected by a common mycorrhizal mycelium. Mycorrhiza 6: 465–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flemington PM, Bruhn JN, Richter DL (1987) Effects of thiram and aluminium on in vitro growth of Scleroderma citrinum and S. macrorhizon. Phytopathology 177: 1735 (Abstr)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford VL, Torbert JL Jr, Burger JA, Miller OK (1985) Comparative effects of four ectomycorrhizal fungi on loblolly pine seedlings growing in a greenhouse in a Piedmont soil. Plant Soil 83: 215–221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fox FM (1986) Groupings of ectomycorrhizal fungi of birch and pine, based on establishment of mycorrhizas on seedlings from spores in unsterile soils. Trans Br Mycol Soc 87: 371–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garbaye J, Delwalle JC, Diangana D (1988) Growth response of eucalypts in the Congo to ectomycorrhizal inoculation. For Ecol Manage 24: 151–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godbout G, Fortin JA (1985) Synthesised mycorrhizae of aspen: fungal genus level of structural characterization. Can J Bot 63: 252–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzmán G (1970) Monographía de género Scleroderma Pers. emend Fr. (Fungi-Basidiomycetes). Darwiniana 16: 233–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadi S, Fakuara Y, Setiadi Y, Prematuri R, Nuhamara ST (1991) Status of mycorrhiza research on dipterocarps in Indonesia. In: Proceedings, BIO-REFOR Pre-workshop, IUFRO/SPDC, Bogor, pp 75–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawksworth DL, Kirk PM, Sutton BC, Pegler DN (1995) Ainsworth and Bisby’s dictionary of the fungi, 8th edn. CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe R, Evans RL, Ketteridge SW (1997) Copper-binding proteins in ectomycorrhizal fungi. New Phytol 135: 123–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingleby K, Last FT, Mason PA (1985) Vertical distribution and temperature relations of sheathing mycorrhizas of Betula spp. growing on coal spoil. For Ecol Manage 12: 279–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ivory MH, Munga FM (1983) Growth and survival of container-grown Pinus caribea infected with various ectomycorrhizal fungi. Plant Soil 71: 339–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffries P, Young TWK (1994) Interfungal parasitic relationships. CAB International, Wallingford Jones MD, Hutchinson TC (1986) The effect of mycorrhizal infection on the response of Betula papyrifera to nickel and copper. New Phytol 102: 429–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones MD, Hutchinson TC (1988) Nickel toxicity in mycorrhizal birch seedlings infected with Lactarius rufus or Scleroderma flavidum. II. Uptake of nickel, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. New Phytol 108: 461–470

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kannan K, Natarajan K (1987) Pure culture synthesis of Pinus patula ectomycorrhizae with Scleroderma citrinum. Curr Sci 56: 1066–1068

    Google Scholar 

  • Keizer PJ, Arnolds E (1994) Succession of ectomycorrhizal fungi in roadside verges planted with common oak (Quercus robor L.) in Drenthe, The Netherlands. Mycorrhiza 4: 147–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropp BR, Trappe JM (1982) Ectomycorrhizal fungi of Tsuga heterophylla. Mycologia 74: 479–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee SS, Alexander IJ (1996) The dynamics of ectomycorrhizal infection of Shorea leprosula seedlings in Malaysian rain forests. New Phytol 132: 297–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee SS, Alexander IJ, Watling R (1997) Ectomycorrhizas and putative ectomycorrhizal fungi of Shorea leprosula Miq. ( Dipterocarpaceae ). Mycorrhiza 7: 63–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Malajczuk N (1987) Ecology and management of ectomycorrhizal fungi in regenerating forest ecosystems in Australia. In: Sylvia D, Hung LL, Graham JH (eds) Proceedings of the 7th North American conference on mycorrhizae. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, pp 118–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Malajczuk N, Molina R, Trappe JM (1982) Ectomycorrhiza formation in Eucalyptus. I. Pure culture synthesis, host specificity and mycorrhizal compatibility with Pinus radiata. New Phytol 91: 467–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marx DH, Bryan WC (1969) Scleroderma bovista, an ectotrophic mycorrhizal fungus of pecan. Phytopathology 59: 1128–1132

    Google Scholar 

  • Marx DH, Daniel WJ (1976) Maintaining cultures of ectomycorrhizal and plant pathogenic fungi in sterile water cold storage. Can J Microbiol 22: 338–341

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mason PA, Wilson J, Last FT (1983) The concept of succession in relation to the spread of sheathing mycorrhizal fungi on inoculated tree seedlings in unsterile soil. Plant Soil 71: 247–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan V, Natarajan K, Ingleby K (1993) Anatomical studies on ectomycorrhizas. III. The ectomycorrhizas produced by Rhizopogon luteolus and Scleroderma citrinum on Pinus patula. Mycorrhiza 3: 51–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molina R, Trappe JM (1982) Patterns of ectomycorrhizal host specificity and potential amongst Pacific Northwest conifers and fungi. For Sci 28: 423–457

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton AC (1991) Mineral nutrition and mycorrhizal infection of seedling oak and birch. III. Epidemiological aspects of ectomycorrhizal infection and the relationship to seedling growth. New Phytol 117: 53–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newton AC (1992) Towards a functional classification of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhiza 2: 75–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newton AC, Pigott CD (1991) Mineral nutrition and mycorrhizal infection of seedling oak and birch. II. The effect of fertilizers on growth, nutrient uptake and ectomycorrhizal infection. New Phytol 117: 45–52

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Omon RM, Fakuara Y, Supriyanto, Suhendang E (1995) Effects of some ectomycorrhizal fungi and culture media on the growth of Shorea leprosula Miq. cuttings (Abstract). In: Supriyanto, Kartana JT (eds) Biology and biotechnology of mycorrhizae. BIOTROP Special Publication, no 56, Bogor, 181 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Parladé J, Pera J, Alvarez IF (1996) Inoculation of containerized Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus pinaster seedlings with spores of five species of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhiza 6: 237–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Pryor LD (1956) Ectotrophic mycorrhiza in renantherous species of Eucalyptus. Nature 177: 587–588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raman N (1988) Succession of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the colonization of Pinus patula plantations at Kodaikanal. In: Mahadevan A, Raman N, Natarajan K (eds) Proceedings of the 1st Asian conference on mycorrhizae. Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, Madras, pp 101–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao CS, Sharma GD, Shukla AK (1997) Distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi in pure stands of different age groups of Pinus kesiya. Can J Microbiol 43: 85–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richter DL (1992) Six species of Scleroderma (Gasteromycetes, Sclerodermatales) described from pure cultures. Mycotaxon 45: 461–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter DL, Bruhn JN (1989a) Pinus resinosa ectomycorrhizae: seven host-fungus combinations synthesized in pure culture. Symbiosis 7: 211–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter DL, Bruhn JN (1989b) Revival of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal basidiomycete cultures from cold storage in sterile water. Can J Microbiol 35: 1055–1060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richter DL, Bruhn JN (1990) Scleroderma citrinum (Gasteromycetes, Sclerodermatales) and Larix decidua form ectomycorrhizae in pure culture. Nova Hedwigia 50: 355–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Rifai MA (1987) Malasian Scleroderma (Gasteromycetes). Trans Jpn Mycol Soc 28: 97

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma GD, Mishra RR (1988) Production of mass inoculum and inoculation techniques of ectomycorrhizal fungi in sub-tropical pine (Pinus kesiya). In: Mahadevan A, Raman N, Natarajan K (eds) Proceedings of the 1st Asian conference on mycorrhizae. Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, Madras, pp 319–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims K (1996) Growth physiology and systematics of some SE Asian ectomycorrhizal fungi, with additional reference to isozyme interpretations. PhD Thesis, University of Kent, Kent

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims K, Watling R, Jeffries P (1995) A revised key to the genus Scleroderma. Mycotaxon 56: 403–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims K, Watling R, De La Cruz, R, Jeffries P (1997) Ectomycorrhizal fungi of the Philippines: a preliminary survey and notes on the geographic biodiversity of the Sclerodermatales. Biodiv Consery 6: 45–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Supriyanto, Setiawan I, Omon RM (1993) Effect of Scleroderma sp. on the growth of Shorea mecistopteryx Ridi. In: Proceedings International Workshop BIO-REFOR. IUFRO/SPDDC, Yogyakarta, pp 186–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Tam PCF (1995) Heavy metal tolerance by ectomycorrhizal fungi and metal amelioration by Pisolithus tinctorius. Mycorrhiza 5: 181–187

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thapar HS (1988) Nutritional studies on ectomycorrhizal fungi of chir pine in culture. In: Mahadevan A, Raman N, Natarajan K (eds) Proceedings of the 1st Asian conference on mycorrhizae. Sivakami Publishers, Madras, pp 179–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoen D, Ba AM (1989) Ectomycorrhizas and putative ectomycorrhizal fungi of Afzelia Africana Sm. and Uapaca guineenis Müll. Arg. in southern Senegal. New Phytol 113: 549–559

    Google Scholar 

  • Waller K, Agerer R (1993) Scleroderma citrinum. In: Agerer R (ed) Colour atlas of ectomycorrhizae. Einhorn-Verlag, Schwäbisch Gmünd, 180 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Watling R (1994) Taxonomic and floristic notes on some Malaysian larger fungi. I. Malay Nat J 48: 67–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watling R, Abraham SP (1992) Ectomycorrhizal fungi of Kashmir forests. Mycorrhiza 2: 81–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watling R, Lee SS (1995) Ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with members of the Dipterocarpaceae in Peninsular Malaysia. I. J Trop For Sci 7: 657–669

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 6NJ, UK

    P. Jeffries

Authors
  1. P. Jeffries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mycorrhiza Research Group School of Science, University of Western Sydney (Nepean), PO Box 10, 2074, Kingswood, NSW, Australia

    John W. G. Cairney  & Susan M. Chambers  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1999 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jeffries, P. (1999). Scleroderma. In: Cairney, J.W.G., Chambers, S.M. (eds) Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Key Genera in Profile. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06827-4_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06827-4_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-08490-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-06827-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation