Natural and synthesized ectomycorrhizas of the alpine dwarf willow Salix herbacea

Abstract

 A new approach for selecting sampling sites of ectomycorrhizal roots is presented in order to describe ectomycorrhizas of Salix herbacea. Based on sporocarp mapping and statistical evaluation of the mapping data, sites for ectomycorrhizal root sampling were chosen underneath sporocarps of ectomycorrhizal Cortinarius (Myxacium) favrei, Hebeloma repandum, Laccaria montana, Entoloma alpicola, and Russula norvegica. Only in the samples beneath C. favrei, E. alpicola, and L. montana were corresponding ectomycorrhizas predominant and therefore described. Cenococcum geophilum ectomycorrhizas occurred throughout most samples and were also described. Numerous carpophores of the five selected ectomycorrhizal fungi were sampled for isolation purposes. Pure cultures were obtained of H. repandum and C. favrei, but laboratory syntheses of ectomycorrhizas were successful only with H. repandum and seedlings or cuttings of S. herbacea.