![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Ten species of ectomycorrhizal fungi were grown in liquid media over a pH range of 2–7. Species fell into five major groups: (1) growth significantly best only at the optimum pH, (2) growth increased with increase of pH, (3) significantly best growth spans three pH units, (4) spans four pH units, and (5) spans five pH units. A comparison of four isolates each of Cenococcum geophilum and Laccaria laccata revealed striking infraspecific differences in response to pH. Species also differed in their effect on pH of the medium over the duration of the experiment. Isolates that grew best in vitro at high pH levels did not originate from high pH soils. Other things being equal, isolates that grow well over a broad pH range would be preferred for inoculation in tree nurseries.