The elemental content in the mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma sp. during the colonization of hardened wood ash

Abstract

Piloderma sp., a wood ash-colonizing ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungus, was grown symbiotically with Norway spruce in microcosms which contained granules of hardened wood ash. Mycelium close to the granules was sampled 3 times over a period of 11 weeks and the elemental content was investigated with particle induced X-ray emission. Mycelium from microcosms without wood ash was used as controls. The contents of P and K were similar in mycelium growing close to wood ash granules to those in control mycelium, while the Ca content increased from 23+/-21 mg g(-1) in controls to 63+/-8 mg g(-1) in mycelium growing close to wood ash granules. The Ca content was also increased in other parts of the mycelium more distant from the wood ash. Piloderma sp. may have a role in the short-term storage of Ca released from wood ash, rather than in releasing and storing P.

Subcellular Nutrient Element Localization and Enrichment in Ecto- and Arbuscular Mycorrhizas of Field-Grown Beech and Ash Trees Indicate Functional Differences

“…Another EcM species able to accumulate high Ca concentrations in the mycelium is Piloderma sp. [55] . Piloderma sp.…”

“…stores Ca in the cell walls of hyphae and the fungal mantle as calcium oxalate crystals [55] . It was suggested that, thereby, the hydrophobicity of the mantle was increased and that the Ca oxalate crystals served as protection against grazing microbes [55] . It is possible that the strong Ca enrichment in Clavulina cristata has similar functions.…”

Cross talks at the morphogenetic, physiological and gene regulation levels between the mycobiont Piloderma croceum and oak microcuttings (Quercus robur) during formation of ectomycorrhizas

“…The presence of acid phosphatase on the surface of P. fallax hyphae led Ho and Zak (1979) to hypothesize a capability of mobilizing organic bound P. The ability to mobilize P and Ca from apatite and ash was demonstrated more recently for different Piloderma spp. (Wallander et al, 1997;Arocena and Glowa, 2000;Mahmood et al, 2003;Rosling et al, 2004;Hagerberg et al, 2005), and the role of laccase-like genes in nutrient mobilization has been discussed by Chen et al (2003).…”

Application of bioenergy ash as a fertilizer for conifer seedlings in a sub-borial reforestation site in the central interior, British Columbia

“…In Hagerberg et al's (2005) study, the presence of Ca in Piloderma sp., a prevalent fungi in coniferous and hardwood forests, extended from where the ash was applied to farther extremities of its fungal structure. This translocation of Ca in fact exceeded that of P and K (Hagerberg et al, 2005). The observation could be attributed to the proclivity of ectomycorrhizae to reinforce its hyphae with a calcium sheath, possibly in an effort to prevent desiccation (Arocena et al, 2001).…”

“…Regarding mycorrhizae, the abrupt pH change associated with ash fertilization can hinder the function of those associated with some berry shrub species (Moberg & Tidström, 1985 as cited in Levula et al, 2000). Even so, mycorrhizal colonization of hardened ash has been reported (Mahmood et al, 2002;Hagerberg et al, 2005). In Hagerberg et al's (2005) study, the presence of Ca in Piloderma sp., a prevalent fungi in coniferous and hardwood forests, extended from where the ash was applied to farther extremities of its fungal structure.…”