Influence of organic matter on the formation of ectomicorrhizae by Pisolithus tinctorius and Thelephora terrestris with Pinus

Abstract

The effects of sewage sludge, manure, filter cake and pine needle mulch, incorporated in the soil at the concentrations of 10%, 30% and 50% (v/v) on the formation of ectomycorrhizae by Pisolithus tinctorius and Thelephora terrestris with Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis seedlings were evaluated. Manure and pine mulch, at the concentration of 10%, did not affect the formation of mycorrhizae by P. tinctorius and T. terrestris, while at the higher concentrations they reduced the amount of mycorrhizae formed by both fungi. Filter cake inhibited the formation of mycorrhizae by T. terrestris at all concentrations, whereas for P. tinctorius it affected only at 30% and 50%. Sewage sludge had the strongest inhibitory effect, acting at all concentrations tested against both fungi.