Alnus acuminata in dual symbiosis withFrankia and two different ectomycorrhizal fungi (Alpova austroalnicola andAlpova diplophloeus) growing in soilless growth medium

Abstract

In this study we investigated the capacity of Andean alder (Alnus acuminate Kunth), inoculated withFrankia and two ectomycorrhizal fungi (Alpova austroalnicola Dominguez andAlpova diplophloeus ([Zeller and Dodge] Trappe and Smith), for nodulation and growth in pots of a soilless medium that contained vermiculite or a mixture of ground basalt rock and vermiculite. The seedlings were inoculated withFrankia suspensions prepared from root nodules ofA. Acuminate, followed by inoculation with spores of either one of the twoAlpova species. The seedlings were grown in a greenhouse for 12 months. The seedlings grown in the vermiculite-based growth medium containing large (1-3 mm) basalt particles andAlpova austroalnicola or medium-sized (0.5-1 mm) basalt particles andA. Diplophloeus had the heaviest shoot and root nodule dry weights and abundant ectomycorrhizal colonization. Ectomycorrhizas formed byA. Acuminate withAlpova austroalnicola is described here for the first time. Growth ofAlnus acuminate inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi andFrankia in the soilless primary minerals indicates that Andean alder can alter resource supply by tapping an otherwise unavailable nutrient source.