Ectomycorrhiza formation on Pinus tabulaeformis through Rhizopogon luteolus infection

Taking 60-day-old Pinus tabulaeformis seedlings as test objects,a pot culture experiment under laboratory condition was conducted to investigate whether the inoculation with Rhizopogon luteolus could infect P.tabulaeformis and form ectomycorrhiza as well as the effectiveness of this infection on the growth of P.tabulaeformis.After two months of inoculation,the ectomycorrhiza formed,and the mycorrhizal colonization rate was over 80%.In terms of branching characteristics,the binary ectomycorrhiza accounted for 80%,and the rod-shaped one shared 20%.The mantle was white in color,quite distinct,and 90 μm in thickness.The diameter of the ectomycorrhizal branch was 0.4-0.6 mm,and the length of the branch was 1.5-2.5 mm.The extraradical hyphae were white and villous,and many of them were twisted as rhizomorphae,with a length of 3.5-5.5 mm.The ectomycorrhiza had prominent promotion effect on the growth of P.tabulaeformis roots.The root-shoot ratio of the mycorrhizal seedlings was 2.7 times of the control.After the formation of ectomycorrhiza,the phosphorus absorption by P.tabulaeformi from the environment increased significantly.