Effect of fertilization on production of epigeous basidiocarps by mycorrhizal fungi in loblolly pine plantations

Abstract

Basidiocarps of 39 epigeous spp. of proven or potential mycorrhizal fungi [Amanita spp., Boletus sp., Boletellus chrysenteroides, Cantharellus spp., Chroogomphus rutilus, Cortinanius sp., Inocybe sp., Laccaria spp., Lactarius spp., Lepiota sp., Lepista caespitosa, Phylloporus rhodoxanthus, Russula spp., Strobilomyces floccopus, Suillus spp., Tylopilus plumbeoviolaceus and Xerocomus sp.] were found in 3 fertilized Pinus taeda plantations during 1972 and 1973. The largest numbers of basidiocarps on all 3 plantations were found on nonfertilized plots or plots fertilized with P only. Fewest basidiocarps were found on plots fertilized with N. Numbers of basidiocarps of Suillus hirtellus were decreased by N fertilization. Numbers of basidiocarps of some other potential mycorrhizal fungi were not altered substantially by fertilization treatments. The average numbers of total living mycorrhizal tips were correlated well with average numbers of epigeous basidiocarps of proven or potential mycorrhizal fungi on fertilized plots. However, if mycorrhizal tips formed by Cenococcum geophilum, which do not form visible basidiocarps, were ignored, the remaining mycorrhizal tips were not well correlated with numbers of basidiocarps of proven or potential mycorrhizal fungi.