Abstract
Several thousand fungal species worlwide are thought to form ectomycorrhizas (ECM) with tree hosts and there is currently much interest in determining the functional significance of such diversity in natural and managed ecosystems. While only a few taxa have been investigated in detail, it is clear that ECM fungi display extensive intraspecific variation in a range of physiological and other life-history parameters. Thus, comparative investigations of single (or even a few) isolates of different species are unlikely to provide reliable information on functional capabilities. Extensive screening of taxonomically well-defined isolates is required. This must take into account spatial and temporal variation in gene expression in mycelia growing in axenic culture or in association with a host plant.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 29 June 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cairney, J. Intraspecific physiological variation: implications for understanding functional diversity in ectomycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhiza 9, 125–135 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s005720050297
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s005720050297