Studies on the systematics of ectomycorrhizal fungi in axenic culture. II. The enzymatic degradation of selected carbon and nitrogen compounds

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Abstract
Ninety-six species of ectomycorrhizal fungi from 30 genera were grown on modified Melin–Norkrans agar where the carbon (glucose) or nitrogen (ammonium phosphate dibasic) supply was replaced by cellulose, lignin, pectin, lipid, amylose, gelatin, casamino acids, or urea. Ectomycorrhizal fungi did not appreciably degrade cellulose, lignin, or pectin. The remaining compounds were broken down by representatives of certain taxonomic groups. Lipase was produced by Amanita species, amylase by species of Amanita and Cortinarius, gelatinase by Piloderma, Thelephora, species of Lactarius section Dapetes, and some species of both Amanita and Cortinarius. Casamino acids were degraded by Laccaria, Hebeloma, and some Tricholoma species. Urease was detected in species of Hebeloma and Laccaria. The ability to enzymatically degrade selected carbon and nitrogen compounds have potential as taxonomic characters for the identification of isolates of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The significance of these results are also discussed in relation to the ecology of these fungi. Key words: ectomycorrhizal fungi, enzyme activity, cultures, identification, systematics.