title: Mycorrhization of Quercus robur L., Quercus cerris L. and Corylus avellana L. seedlings with Tuber macrosporum Vittad.
abstract: Tuber macrosporum Vittad. is not a common truffle species, but with remarkable organoleptic qualities and much economic interest. After the addition of truffle spore slurry, 30 seedlings of Quercus robur L., Quercus cerris L. and Corylus avellana L. were grown inside a greenhouse for 11 months before evaluation of the mycorrhizal level. Two different potting mixes were used: a natural soil-based potting mix for Q. robur, Q. cerris and C. avellana and a peat-based potting mix for Q. robur. Quercus robur planted in soil potting mix was the most receptive towards the truffle spore inoculum, with a level of formation of T. macrosporum ectomycorrhizas (ECMs) of approximately 14 %, ranging from a minimum of ∼4 % to a maximum of ∼44 % in different seedlings. No T. macrosporum ECMs developed on Q. cerris (soil potting mix) or on Q. robur (peat potting mix), whereas a low percentage of ECMs was detected on only three C. avellana (soil potting mix) seedlings. The fungus Sphaerosporella brunnea (Alb. & Schwein.) Svrček & Kubička was also detected as a contaminant on almost half the truffle-inoculated seedlings. A new detailed description of the morphological and anatomical characteristics of T. macrosporum ECMs and their DNA-based verification with species-specific markers were also reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. gian.benucci@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gian Maria Niccolò
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Benucci
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gógán Csorbai
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baciarelli Falini
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bencivenga
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Massimo
authors.forename: Domizia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donnini
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D048429:Cell Size; D031211:Corylus / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D025282:Mycelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D029963:Quercus / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012987:Soil; D013045:Species Specificity; D013172:Spores, Fungal; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D012987:Soil