title: Fine-scale spatial genetic structure of the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) investigated with neutral microsatellites and functional mating type genes.
abstract: The genetic structure of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal populations results from both vegetative and sexual propagation. In this study, we have analysed the spatial genetic structure of Tuber melanosporum populations, a heterothallic ascomycete that produces edible fruit bodies. Ectomycorrhizas from oaks and hazels from two orchards were mapped and genotyped using simple sequence repeat markers and the mating type locus. The distribution of the two T. melanosporum mating types was also monitored in the soil. In one orchard, the genetic profiles of the ascocarps were compared with those of the underlying mycorrhizas. A pronounced spatial genetic structure was found. The maximum genet sizes were 2.35 and 4.70 m in the two orchards, with most manifesting a size < 1 m. Few genets persisted throughout two seasons. A nonrandom distribution pattern of the T. melanosporum was observed, resulting in field patches colonized by genets that shared the same mating types. Our findings suggest that competition occurs between genets and provide basic information on T. melanosporum propagation patterns that are relevant for the management of productive truffle orchards.
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR 1136 INRA Université de Lorraine 'Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes', Labex ARBRE, FR EFABA, 54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murat
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Institute - Perugia Division, National Research Council, Via della Madonna Alta 130, 06128, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubini
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Institute - Perugia Division, National Research Council, Via della Madonna Alta 130, 06128, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riccioni
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR 1136 INRA Université de Lorraine 'Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes', Labex ARBRE, FR EFABA, 54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Herminia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De la Varga
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR 1136 INRA Université de Lorraine 'Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes', Labex ARBRE, FR EFABA, 54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Emila
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akroume
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Institute - Perugia Division, National Research Council, Via della Madonna Alta 130, 06128, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Belfiori
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Institute - Perugia Division, National Research Council, Via della Madonna Alta 130, 06128, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guaragno
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR 1136 INRA Université de Lorraine 'Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes', Labex ARBRE, FR EFABA, 54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Le Tacon
authors.affiliation: Université de Lorraine - INRA, UMR 1121 'Agronomie et Environnement Nancy-Colmar', BP 172, 54505, Vandoeuvre les Nancy Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR 1136 INRA Université de Lorraine 'Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes', Labex ARBRE, FR EFABA, 54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Halkett
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR 1136 INRA Université de Lorraine 'Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes', Labex ARBRE, FR EFABA, 54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Institute - Perugia Division, National Research Council, Via della Madonna Alta 130, 06128, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paolocci
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D007558:Italy; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000235:genetics; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000235:genetics; D029963:Quercus / Q000382:microbiology; D012100:Reproduction, Asexual / Q000235:genetics; D012988:Soil Microbiology