Antifungal effect of an ectotrophic mycorrhizal fungus, Lactarius sp., associated with basswood seedlings

Abstract

An ectotrophic mycorrhizal fungus associated with basswood, Lactarius sp., produces a potent antifungal compound. The compound's strength was assessed by determining the percentage spore germination of Penicillium implication in Lactarius sp. culture filtrates. Antifungal properties were evaluated by pairing Lactarius sp. with 23 known pathogenic fungi on Hagem agar plate cultures. Greenhouse tests revealed a strong inhibitory effect of Lactarius sp. against fungi that frequently cause damping-off of pine seedlings.