Variability in ectomycorrhizal development and growth among isolates of Pisolithustinctorius as affected by source, age, and reisolation

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Abstract
Twenty-one isolates of P. tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch of different ages and from different tree hosts and world locations were initially tested for ectomycorrhizal development on Pinus taeda L. seedlings in a growth room. Three oak isolates from the USA [Quercus palustris, Q. alba Q. acutissima] and 7 pine isolates [P. echinata P. virginiana, P. elliottii, P. patula, P. pinaster P. strobus, P. radiata] from the USA, Brazil and Australia (1-17 yr old) formed few or no ectomycorrhizae. Eleven remaining pine isolates (1-6 yr old) collected in Taiwan, France, and 9 locations in the USA formed abundant ectomycorrhizae. Reisolates were obtained from the above ectomycorrhizae formed by the original isolates. In pure culture on agar medium, most original isolates grew as fast or faster than the companion reisolates. Individual isolates differed greatly in growth response at various temperatures; these differences were unrelated to age of culture or reisolation. In a nursery experiment, there were large differences among 8 isolates and 9 reisolates in degree of ectomycorrhizal development on P. taeda seedlings. Reisolation significantly improved ectomycorrhizal development of 3 original isolates (4-7 yr old) but not others. There was no relationship between rate of growth in agar medium and capacity of isolates or reisolates to form ectomycorrhizae. The significance of age, host origin and world location on variation in Pisolithus tinctorius is discussed.

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