Rubroboletus le-galiae is reported for the first time from Poland. Macro- and micromorphological characters of the species are described and illustrated based on the study of material collected at three microlocalities in Łężczok reserve (SW Poland). The delimitation of R. le-galiae from related species of the genus Rubroboletus (R. satans, R. rubrosanguineus, R. rhodoxanthus) is shortly discussed and the knowledge of its ecology and distribution is briefly summarized.
The translocation of zinc, cadmium and lead ions in vegetative mycelia of four species of mycorrhizal fungi was studied. Strong accumulation of zinc, cadmium and lead in aerial mycelium of fungi growing in contaminated medium, and inhibition of the metals' translocation was found. These results were related to species of mycorrhizal fungus and the metal ions that were used for the contaminated medium.
The diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi and sporocarps abundance were investigated in 2003-2005 at nine permanent study plots in a 50-year-old pine forest. Diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi consist of 53 taxa and the majority of them belonged to the genera Cortinarius, Russula, Amanita and Tricholoma. The most frequent species, whose fruit bodies were found in each study plot, were C. cibarius, L. necator L. rufus, P. involutus, R. aeruginea, T. saponaceumand the most abundant species which made the main part of total sporocarp yield were C. cibarius and P. involutus. The lowest species richness of ectomycorrhizal fungi was in study plots with the densest cover of grasses. Maximum of species over the fruiting period was characteristic for October and for September. It was noticed that some species virtually never occurred together at the same plot (e.g. C. cibarius and H. aurantiaca), meanwhile others occurred together quite frequently (e.g. H. aurantiacaand X. badius).
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and their symbiotic associations with forest trees are among major drivers of key ecosystem functions such as carbon and nitrogen cycling, plant nutrient and water uptake from soil, plant-plant facilitation/competition and diversity regulation via common mycorrhizal networks. Through their functional traits and interactions with both abiotic and biotic environment, they also significantly affect the process of open land colonization by trees as well as vegetation succession coupled with soil and ecosystem development. Here we review the role of ECM fungi in the early primary and secondary succession following major anthropogenic disturbances. Based on the examples of mine spoils and post-agricultural lands, we demonstrate key ecosystem services provided by ECM fungi in the processes of forest restoration. We point out ecological mechanisms and adaptations which underpin ECM fungal community successional interactions, particularly life histories, dispersal, spatial structure, host preferences, and sensitivity to environmental filters. We emphasize the need of better understanding the role of ECM fungi in the forest restoration practice as it seems crucial for afforestation success and biodiversity rehabilitation. Thus, ectomycorrhizal traits should be a prime consideration in afforestation and carbon sequestration polices, sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation practices.
Ectomycorrhizal and saprobic fungi of two industrial wastes in southern Poland (calamine spoil in Bolesław and zinc waste in Chrzanów) were studied. Pine (Pinus sylvestris) accompanied by birch (Betula pendula) were present in the investigated area. Fruitbodies of 68 species were recorded, but only 10 were common to both sites. Mycorrhizal species were the most common group on the zinc waste, whereas saprobic fungi prevailed on the calamine spoil. The differences in species composition between sites might be due to differences in plant cover, but also to the toxicity of the material at the sites. Among mycorrhizal species, members of Cortinariaceae and Tricholomataceae were most frequently recorded. Most ectomycorrhizal species had a broad host range, and only a few species known to be associated exclusively with pine or birch were found. Analysis of ectomycorrhizas by classical and molecular (PCR-RFLP) methods revealed that the fungi forming the most abundant fruitbodies were also present in the form of ectomycorrhizas. A few ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi not recorded as fruitbodies were present as pine symbionts.
Indigenous mycorrhizal colonisation of one (1/0) and two (2/0) year old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings from forest nurseries situated in the north-west part of Poland was investigated. Seedlings were fertilized after a schedule designed to satisfy their requirements which resulted from soil analysis of each nursery. In autumn needle nitrogen concentration and mycorrhizal status were estimated. As a rule seedlings 1/0 obtained high doses of fertilizers, and their needle nitrogen concentration highly exceeded the recommended optimal level above which mycorrhiza formation is greatly restricted. Highly negative correlation was found between the nitrogen status of foliage and mycorrhizal quantitative and qualitative colonisation estimated in the abundance class of 0-5. When internal nitrogen level was low, several ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were found on roots of tested plants. Excessive nitrogen fertilization decreased root ramification pattern and along with increased pH promoted ectendomycorrhizal symbiosis. Two-year-old seedlings (2/0) were characterised by significantly lower nitrogen concentration in the needles which resulted in much higher ectomycorrhizal colonisation. Ectendomycorrhizal symbiosis in the case of 2/0 seedlings was scarce. The results indicate that natural colonisation in nurseries is dependent on the soil management practices, especially nitrogen fertilization. Optimalization of nitrogen fertilization may intensify ectomycorrhizal colonisation of the nursery stock from indigenous fungal species and improve the growth of Scots pine seedlings in bare-root nurseries and plantations.
Mycorrhizal syntheses of pine seedlings were conducted with Suillus luteus (L.) S.F. Gray, a strain No 14 characterised by high tolerance to Al3+ ions and a strain No 62, sensitive to aluminium. The experiment was performed as a semi-sterile culture in a peat-perlite medium with Al3+ ion concentration of 11 mM. Abundant coralloid and cluster mycorrhizas of S. luteus were formed on roots of the inoculated plants at the beginning of the experiment. Aluminium treatment limited mycorrhizal morphotypes to single and dichotomous and significantly reduced the total number of mycorrhizal tips but had no effect on extramatrical mycelium development in the potting substrate. Al treatment did not affect growth of the above-ground part of the tested plants but significantly reduced root growth of mycorrhizal seedlings. The effect of Al on the internal nutrient status was variable and not very much pronounced. A considerable amount of Al was absorbed by the roots and translocated to the shoots. Mycorrhiza formation with both strains of S. luteus did not prevent Al3+ translocation to the upper parts of the tested seedlings. The results suggest that low pH and high Al availability may harmfully influence mycorrhizal symbiosis of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) by anega tive effect on fine-root production and fewer short root tips available for colonisation rather than through a direct negative effect of Al3+ ion concentrations on extramatrical mycelium in the soil.
Protective role of mycorrhizal fungus for plants against contamination with heavy metals makes a possibility to use fungi inocula for recultivation areas devastated by industry. Use of mycorrhizal symbiont for improving the living conditions of trees requires unambiguous identification of fungi that are able to form successful mycorrhizae in contaminated areas. We took up studies on identification of fungal species, which create mycorrhizal symbiosis with roots of birch growing on metallurgic heap. The identification of fungi collected directly from roots was performed by comparing patterns of restriction fragments of the fungal ITS products with DNA pattern obtained from fruiting bodies of Basidiomycetes fungi growing in the study area.
Chamonixia caespitosa Rolland, has been recently found in Poland for the first time after 1945. The basidiocarps, partially exposed from the humus layer, were found in two localities: in the spruce forest in the Polish Tatra Mts., at the elevation of 1540 m a.s.l., and in the mixed forest with spruce and fir in the Beskid Niski Mts. at the elevation of app. 400 m a.s.l. The description of the Polish specimens generally agrees with descriptions of the specimens found in other Central European countries. The roundish to tuberculate basidiocarps were characterized by the presence of highly reduced stipe, whitish colour of the peridium changing rapidly to blue after exposure to air, small, complete or incomplete columella and brown, spongy gleba. Typically 4-spored basidia were present which produced ellipsoid, brown spores with the ornamentation in the form of rough, interconnected ridges. Taxonomic position, ecology and chorology of the species, the ontogeny of basidiocarps and description of ectomycorrhizae are summarized in the paper.
Phylogenetic analyses place Octaviania asterosperma in the Boletales, with Leccinum being the closest relative. Results of the structural investigation of O. asterosperma ectomycorrhiza with Fagus confirm this systematic position. In Europe the species is an ectomycorrhizal partner of broad-leaved trees, such as Carpinus, Corylus, Fagus, Quercus and Tilia. This paper aims at presenting the new data to the distribution of O. asterosperma in Central Europe. The description of the basidiocarps discovered in Poland in the recent years is also given, together with evidence for the parasitic relationship of Sepedonium laevigatum with O. asterosperma. We also present the information concerning all known localities of the species in Poland and its distribution map. Data on the ecology, distribution and status of O. asterosperma in Europe, and some structural aspects of basidiocarps and spores, are also summarized.
T he paper deals with the succession of basidiomycete macrofungi on abandoned farmland. T T he research was carried out in the unique complex of old fields of different age located on the southwest edge of the Białowieża old-growth forest (NE Poland). T T hese lands undergo spontaneous secondary succession leading to formation of a continental fresh pine forest. Regular observations of basidiomata in 16 permanent plots (11 plots of 1000 m2, 5 plots of 400 m2) representing initial, optimal and terminal stage of vegetation development from psammophilous grassland to a pine forest with 100-year-old tree stand were conducted for three years. Soil and vegetation analyses were also carried out as well as quantitative examination of ectomycorrhizae in root samples. T he series yielded 300 species of macromycetes (including 6 collective taxa) found in permanent plots plus 18 species outside the plots. T T he species composition, spatial distribution of sporocarps, and quantitative structure of fungal communities changed along the successional gradient. Increasing diversity of fungi resulted from persistence of species typical of open areas and species associated with younger trees, as well as accumulation of species associated with older trees and more developed stands. Some species typical of younger phases were replaced with species arriving later in the chronosequence. Species usually occurred long before and after attaining maximum abundance and frequency. Species associated with certain periods of vegetation development could be distinguished, as well as species accompanying the phytocoenoses regardless of their developmental stage. Patterns in structural changes of the fungal community, e.g., in number of species, abundance, frequency and production of carpophores, could also be recognised. T T hey were different in ectomycorrhizal and in saprotrophic fungi. T T he occurrence of the former was influenced mainly by the presence of symbiotic trees and their age, stand structure and soil properties, while occurrence of the latter was affected by microclimatic factors and by diversity of accessible substrates. Changes in fungal communities were consistent with vegetation changes, but were also specific to this group of organisms.