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Soil Fungal Diversity and Community Structure of Russula griseocarnosa from Different Sites

Summary

Researchers studied the soil fungi living around Russula griseocarnosa, a valuable wild edible mushroom that cannot be grown in farms. They found that the soil around this mushroom contains specific beneficial fungi like Penicillium and Trichoderma that help it grow, and that these fungal communities differ depending on geographical location. The study shows that using fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and beneficial fungi could help protect and increase the production of this wild mushroom.

Background

Russula griseocarnosa is an important ectomycorrhizal edible fungus with high economic and nutritional value that forms symbiotic relationships with Fagaceae wood plants but cannot be artificially cultivated. Soil fungi play crucial roles in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and the growth and development of ectomycorrhizal fungi including fruit body formation. Understanding the soil fungal communities in the mycosphere of R. griseocarnosa is essential for its conservation and sustainable utilization.

Objective

This study examined the mycosphere soil fungal communities of R. griseocarnosa from five sites in Fujian, Guangxi, and Yunnan Provinces to identify biomarker genera, clarify the effects of symbiosis on soil fungal diversity and community structure, and understand the abiotic and biotic factors shaping fungal distribution.

Results

Mycosphere soils had significantly higher levels of available potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus compared to bulk soil. The dominant fungal taxa included Penicillium, Trichoderma, Talaromyces, Mortierella, Tolypocladium, Chloridium, Oidiodendron, and Umbelopsis. Different geographical sites had different indicator fungal genera, and fungal community similarity decreased with increasing geographical distance; soil pH was the major abiotic factor influencing mycosphere fungal community structure.

Conclusion

R. griseocarnosa prefers acidic soils and associates with specific fungal communities that vary by geographical location. Management strategies including nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus mixed fertilizer and fungal fertilizer can promote the conservation and sustainable utilization of this valuable wild fungus.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/microorganisms13030490; PMID: 40142383
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