Mycorrhizae between black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Terfezia terfezioides

Abstract

 In the present paper we report a mycorrhizal association between the hypogeous white truffle Terfezia terfezioides and the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) growing at various sites in Hungary. The mycorrhiza can be considered as being of the endo- or ectendo-type, since both mantle and Hartig net are absent. Morphological features of the septate hyphae colonizing cortical root cells were investigated by light microscopy on cryosections and on ultra-thin sections studied by transmission electron microscopy. Artificial infection of micropropagated black locust plantlets with the mycelium of the fungus was successful and had the same characteristics as naturally occurring associations.