Arbuscular mycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizas on Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) trees and seedlings in native forests of tropical north-eastern Australia

Adams, Felicity, Reddell, Paul, Webb, Michael J., and Shipton, Warren A. (2006) Arbuscular mycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizas on Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) trees and seedlings in native forests of tropical north-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Botany, 54 (3). pp. 271-281.

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Abstract

Eucalypts have been shown to form both arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) and ectomycorrhizas (ECM) in glasshouse experiments. Little is known, however, about the relative dominance of these two mycorrhiza types on individual eucalypt species across their natural range. This study examined mycorrhizal colonisation levels of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden roots at 29 sites representing a broad range of wet sclerophyll forest types in the wet tropics of north-eastern Australia. Adult E. grandis trees sampled in situ were invariably heavily ectomycorrhizal, with 76–100% fine root length colonised (% RLC). There were comparatively low levels of AM, with typically less than 10% RLC. Seedling E. grandis grown in intact soil cores from the field sites under glasshouse conditions had lower total levels of mycorrhiza formation compared with adult trees, with more variable ECM formation (10–95% RLC) and more extensive AM formation (10–40% RLC). There were no apparent trends in mycorrhiza formation across different soil parent material, rainfall or vegetation categories used. The current research suggests that arbuscular mycorrhizas are more prominent on seedlings, whereas ectomycorrhizas predominate in adult trees of E. grandis. Possible reasons for these differences and a comparison with other studies of eucalypt mycorrhizas under natural conditions are presented.

Item ID: 3800
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1444-9862
Keywords: Eucalyptus grandis; Myrtaceae; arbuscular mycorrhizas; ectomycorrhizas
Date Deposited: 28 Oct 2009 05:38
FoR Codes: 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050205 Environmental Management @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960804 Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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