Ectomycorrhiza of Pinus radiata (D. Don 1836) in New Zealand — an above- and below- ground assessment

Abstract

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) species identity, richness and diversity of the exotic plantation species Pinus radiata were investigated in a nursery and stands of different ages (2, 8, 15 and 26 years of age) in the North Island of New Zealand over the course of two years. ECM species were identified by morphology and molecular (restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing) analysis. Eighteen ECM species were observed above-ground, 19 ECM species below-ground. Inocybe sindonia, Lactarius rufus, Pseudotomentella sp., Pseudotomentella tristis, Rhizopogon pseudoroseolus, R. luteorubescens, Tomentella sp. and Wilcoxina mikolae were recorded as ECM associates of P. radiata in New Zealand for the first time. Species richness and diversity of ECM fungi associated with P. radiata in New Zealand were low compared to native forests in the Northern Hemisphere but comparable to other exotic plantations in the Southern Hemisphere.