title: In situ and in vitro colonization of Cathaya argyrophylla (Pinaceae) by ectomycorrhizal fungi.
abstract: Cathaya argyrophylla, a critically endangered conifer, is found to grow at four isolated areas located in subtropical mountains of China. To examine the involvement and usefulness of mycorrhizas for sustaining the population of this tree, we compared the root system, morphology, and structure of mycorrhizal roots of C. argyrophylla, which were collected from a natural stand and an artificial stand, each grown at a different location. More mycorrhizal roots were found for trees from an artificial stand. The presence of extramatrical mycelium, mantle, and Hartig net revealed that C. argyrophylla formed an ectomycorrhizal association in both sampling sites. Starch granules were found in mycorrhizal roots collected only from a natural stand. The aseptic synthesis of C. argyrophylla and Cenococcum geophilum was established for the first time in vitro. Typical ectomycorrhizas formed on seedlings on RM medium containing 0.1 g/l glucose, 5 weeks after inoculation. By light microscopy, the synthesized mycorrhizas showed a thin mantle from which emanated extramatrical hyphae and highly branched Hartig net. A simple, rapid, and convenient mycorrhiza synthesis system was developed, which facilitates further studies on ectomycorrhizal development of C. argyrophylla.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Flower Biotechnology, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Lu-Min
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vaario
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Flower Biotechnology, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Shu-Tang
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: The Laboratory of Quantitative Vegetation Ecology, The Institute of Botany, CAS, 100093, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zong-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Flower Biotechnology, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Lun
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Flower Biotechnology, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Flower Biotechnology, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China. yuhuali05@163.com.
authors.forename: Yu Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D028201:Pinaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D013213:Starch / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D013213:Starch