s - Mycological Society of America

- ROGER %. -
ANDERSON and A. E. LIBERTA. Biology Dept.
1llinoi.s State University, Normal, IL 61761.
VAM colonization and growth of little bluestem grass
(Schizachyrium scoparium) in fumigated and nonfumigated
soil.
Little bluestem grass was grown in fumigated and
non-fumigated sandy, low nutrient soil to which
was added supplemental N, P. K and Ca and Mg (bases).
In non-fumigated soil, between the first and second
growing seasons plants decreased in mean percent
colonization (36.9 vs. 20.8%) and colonized root
length (2,438 vs. 1,627 cm), except for the base
treated plants that increased in colonized root
length between the first and second growing season
(2,625 vs. 3,473 cm). In contrast, in fumigated
soil plants increased in mean percent colonization
(1.3 vs. 3.2%) and colonized root length (100 vs.
445 cm) between the first and second growing seasons.
In the second growing season, base treated plants
produced the most biomass per plant in fumigated
and non-fumigated soils. The soils are relatively
high in available P (14-28 ug/g) but low in
available Ca (276-482 ug/g) and Mg (59-76 uglg).
The results indicate that mycorrhizae may enhance
plant growth in our soil when limiting nutrients
(Ca and Mg) are provided.
R.K. ANTIBUS, DEBRA B. SINSABAUGH AND A.E.
LINKINS 111. Biology Department, Clarkson
University, Potsdam, NY 13699. The effects
of phosphorus source on acid phosphatase
activity and phosphorus uptake in
ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Six ectomycorrhizal fungi were grown witk
low leveis of inorganic or organic
phosphorus (phytic acid) to determine tht
effects of P source on isozyme patterns,
acid phosphatase activity and uptake of 3 2 ~
inositol phosphate. Isolates studied
inc1uded:~~enococcum eo hilum, Scleroderma
cltrinum, Hebelomz cr%dki?orme,
Lactarius sp., Amanita rubescens and
Entoloma sericeurr,. Significant
interspecies difterences were observed in
isozyme patterns and cell surface acid
phosphatase activity. Phosphorus source,
either inorganic or organic P, did not
affect isozyme patterns and generally did
not influence phosphatase production.
However, C. eo hilum demonstrated a five-
fold i n c r e a s h
surf ace phosphatase
activity when grown on organic P. In
general 32 P uptake from inositol phosphate
correlated well with cell surface
phosphatase activity. Growth on phytic
acid increased uptake of 32~, with this
+
effect being most pronounced in C.
aeo hilum. These results provide evidence
or the involvement of phosphatase in
organic P utilization.
R.K. ANTIBUS, TIMOTHY P. WEILAND, AND R.L.
SINSABAUGH. Biology Department, Clarkson
University, Potsdam, NY 13699. Growth and
production of hydrolytic enzymes by
Phellinus igniarius and Piptoporus
betulinus in pure cultures and on birch
wood.
Phellinus igniarius and Pi to orus
betulinus are common macro +?!7
ungi o standing
dead birches in upstate New York. Our study
objectives were to compare hydrolytic
enzymes for these fungi whem grown in pure
culture, and to determine whether similar
patterns of growth and enzyme production
were observed on birch wood in microcosms
containing different soil types. when
grown with cellobiose as a carbon source P.
betulinus showed higher total activities
t an P. i niarius of #-glucosidase,
e 2 d o c e l l h xylosidase. Both fungi
produced similar levels of exocellulase in
culture, and P. i niarius produced higher
acid phosphatase zctivities. These
patterns of enzyme production remained
consistent when fungi were grown on birch
sticks in microcosms. Birch stick mass loss
was affected by fungus and soil type used
in microcosms. P. i niarius generally
caused higher m ~ s s b p. n betulinus.
When the two fungi were combined on single
resource units mass loss was less than for
individual species grown separately.
Differences in mass loss paralleled
biomass accumulation, measured by ATP and
ergosterol, in resource units.
PARTHA BANEWE. Dept. of Biology, Illinois State
University, Normal, IL 61761 (Presently at the Dept. of Plant
Biology. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1L 62901).
Laboratory experiments on competition between two
rhizoplane fungi Penicillium chrvso- and Trichoderma
hardanurn.
Based on results of a field study involving rhizoplane
microfungi associated with little bluestem (Schizachyium
scovarium], a common tallgrass prairie species, it was
hypothesized that Penicillium ~~IVSOE- and Trichoderma
harzianum outcompeted each other in unfumipted and
fumigated soils, respectively. To test this hypothesis and
investigate the mechanisms of competition, interactions
between the two fungi were stuhed in laboratory experiments
using an artificial model system. Competition did occur.
Instances of advantageous priority effects caused by one
organism on the other were also established. In addition,
some demmental residual effects on the growth of one species
were observed when it was grown along with the killed mass
of the other in the same numtive h u m employed prior w
killing.
Mark T. Banlk. Michael J. Larsen. Harold H. Burdsall. Jr. Center
for Porest Mycolory Research. Porest Products Laboratory.
USDA-Pores1 Service. Madison. W1. Thc formation of clamp
connections between compatible baaidiospore germlinr8 of species
of Armillaria.
Basidioapore dilutions on rater agar of meveral North A ~~SIC.~
biological species (NABS) of Armillaris were examined for the
presence of clamp connections followinp germination and formation
Of "juvenile hyphae'. After two wceks all spore dilutions
examined exhibited clamp connections. These included six