Climate Change, Biotechnology, and Mexican Neotropical Edible Ectomycorrhizal Mushrooms

Morphoanatomical and phylogenetic characterization of the ectomycorrhiza between Laccaria squarrosa with Pinus pseudostrobus and its relevance for reforestation programs

“…Our robust confirmation of the establishment of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis between L. squarrosa and P. pseudostrobus, with morphoanatomical, molecular, and phylogenetic evidence, open the way to future biotechnological research to enhance sustainable forest management in the study area. Production of bioinoculants using this pioneer fungal mycobiont in P. pseudostrobus plant production (either as mycelial inoculum, dry pilei, or spore slurries) is O n l i n e f i r s t a real prospect, as it has been previously demonstrated for other phylogenetically-related Neotropical Laccaria species (Pérez-Moreno et al 2020). In doing so, it is hoped that we can protect endangered Mexican forest species and ecosystems by promoting efficient plant production and successful reforestation.…”

“…exico is losing an average of 318,000 hectares of forest annually and is one of the countries with the highest deforestation rates, resulting in rapid ecosystem loss and decreasing native biodiversity (including plants and mushrooms) (Pérez-Moreno et al 2020). Mexico is also the center of diversity of Quercus and Pinus species (Perry 1991, Valencia & Flores-Franco 2006 which are both widely known as ectomycorrhizal (ECM) trees.…”

“…Cooke, and L. proxima (Boud.) Pat., have successfully been used in the production of ECM inoculants for forest management purposes (Molina 1980, Molina & Chamard 1983, Chakravarty & Hwang 1991, Duponnois & Garbaye 1991, Werner & Zadworny 2003, Pérez-Moreno et al 2020. Laccaria species such as Laccaria amethystina Cooke.…”

Edible mycorrhizal fungi of the world: What is their role in forest sustainability, food security, biocultural conservation and climate change?

“…Therefore, a priority is the development and application of forest management techniques, including cultivation, to enhance EMF production, which has been named mycosylviculture (see Box 1); Actions to mitigate climate change, including successful reforestations using EMF as bio‐inoculants of native trees, constitute an urgent need (for example in Mexico more than 130 combinations of native trees and EMF have been tested, using inoculation techniques which are simple, efficient and have a low cost). With the use of these techniques, a conspicuous enhancement of plant growth, nutrient contents, physiological quality and survival of planted seedlings under field conditions have previously been demonstrated (Pérez‐Moreno, Martínez‐Reyes, Hernández‐Santiago, & Ortíz‐Lopez, 2020); Non‐sustainable harvest techniques have dramatically reduced the natural production of many EMF world‐wide (Borunda, 2019; Büntgen et al., 2019; Ehlers & Hobby, 2010; Mortimer et al., 2012). Therefore, environmental education of the native gatherers by scientists with the support of local governments or NGO`s needs urgent attention.…”

Not (only) poison pies – Hebeloma (Agaricales, Hymenogastraceae) in Mexico

“…In Mexico, the main interest in Hebeloma from the local community was either in the context of edibility (e.g., Montoya et al 2008 ; Reyes-López et al 2020 ) or with regard to the inoculation of trees of forest importance with ectomycorrhizal fungi ( Pérez-Moreno et al 2020 and references therein; Pérez-Moreno et al 2021 ). A number of Hebeloma species were mentioned in these articles, including H. alpinum , H. helodes , H. leucosarx and H. mesophaeum .…”