Ericoid Mycorrhizas of Styphelieae: Intensity of Infection and Nutrition of the Symbionts

Abstract

Soil and leaf total nitrogen and intensity of ericoid mycorrhizal infection were measured in Leucopogon juniperinus R.Br. growing under forest in four different soils. Leaf nitrogen varied from 1.1 to 1.9%, which was correlated with soil nitrogen (0.17-0.32%) but was not related to intensity of infection. Maximal infection occurred in March and the cold months. Five vegetative types of endophytes were isolated from roots of L. juniperinus. Three produced ericoid mycorrhizas in pot cultures of Vaccinium. A fungus isolated from a decaying endocarp of Styphelia tubiflora Sm. produced an infection in Vaccinium which was similar to ericoid mycorrhizas.