Edible Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Cistaceae: A Study on Compatibility and Fungal Ecological Strategies

Author: mycolabadmin
2019-12-23
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Summary

This research explored the relationships between edible mushrooms and Mediterranean shrubs, specifically investigating which mushroom species can form beneficial partnerships with different shrub species. The study provides important insights for potentially cultivating valuable edible mushrooms. Impacts on everyday life: • Could lead to new methods for cultivating prized edible mushrooms • Helps understand how to maintain healthy plant-fungal relationships in gardens and forests • May contribute to more sustainable mushroom harvesting practices • Could provide economic opportunities through mushroom cultivation • Advances our understanding of natural ecosystem relationships

Background

Wild edible mycorrhizal mushrooms are highly prized worldwide but their cultivation has been challenging due to their mutualistic lifestyle with trees and shrubs. These fungi inhabit Mediterranean habitats with understories dominated by rockroses (Cistaceae). Understanding their ecology and interactions with Cistaceae species is important both scientifically and for developing cultivation methods.

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the compatibility between four edible ectomycorrhizal fungi (Lactarius deliciosus, Tricholoma equestre, T. portentosum and Boletus fragrans) and five Cistaceae species (Cistus ladanifer, C. psilosepalus, C. salviifolius, Halimium halimifolium and Tuberaria lignosa). Additional objectives were to evaluate the colonization strategies of each fungus and understand their host range specificity with the tested Cistaceae plants.

Results

All fungi successfully established mycorrhizal associations with at least two Cistaceae species. Lactarius deliciosus showed the broadest host range, forming associations with all five plant species tested. Growth rates in pure culture correlated strongly with root colonization percentages. Some novel plant-fungi combinations were discovered, including the first reported associations between Tuberaria lignosa and basidiomycete fungi.

Conclusion

The study revealed varying levels of host specificity among the tested fungi, with phylogenetic relationships potentially influencing compatibility patterns. The correlation between mycelial growth rates and root colonization suggests different ecological strategies, with faster-growing species like L. deliciosus potentially acting as early colonizers. The findings provide new insights into fungal ecology and identify promising new plant-fungus combinations for potential cultivation.

Published in:PLOS One,
Study Type:Laboratory Experimental Study,
Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226849