The Ectomycorrhizal Status of Urban Spruce

ABSTRACT

Ectomycorrhizae of young to mature spruce grown as ornamental trees in Calgary, Alberta, in a semiarid climate and in slightly to moderately alkaline soils were quantified with regard to fungal associates and morphological characters. The most common associate was E-strain (Complexipes) which overall formed one-third of the mycorrhizae. It was most common on small trees and least common on large trees. Greater than 5% of the mycorrhizae were formed by Amphinema byssoides, Hebeloma-like, Tuber-like and Tomentella-Mke fungi, which together accounted for 30% of the mycorrhizae. About 20 other species formed mycorrhizae but occurred infrequently or, with the exception of Cenococcum geophilum, could not be identified. Forty-seven percent of mycorrhizae were formed by ascomycetes and 31% by basidiomycetes. Nineteen percent of mycorrhizae possessed mycelial strands, 8% bore cystidia and 25% had abundant extramatrical hyphae. It was apparent under the specific soil and climatic conditions that some so-called early successional stage fungi may persist for decades.

Key Words:

• ectomycorrhizae
• spruce
• E-strain
• Complexipes
• Amphinema
• alkaline soil.