Published in

Springer Verlag, Mycorrhiza, 3(21), p. 155-165

DOI: 10.1007/s00572-010-0321-7

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Boron and other elements in sporophores of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi

Journal article published in 2010 by Anu Lavola, Pedro J. Aphalo ORCID, Tarja Lehto
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Fungi are usually thought not to have a boron (B) requirement. It is not known if mycorrhizas take up B from low concentrations that are common in forest soils, as fungi might also immobilise B. Here, we studied the B concentrations in sporophores of 49 ectomycorrhizal and 10 saprotrophic fungi to assess whether B is translocated in mycelium or not. Additionally, P and metal concentrations were measured for comparison. Variability both within species and between species was very large, as the lowest measured B concentration was 0.01 mg kg(-1) in Amanita muscaria, and the highest was 280 mg kg(-1) in Paxillus involutus. There was no clear difference between saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi. The majority of species did not accumulate B at more than 0.01-3 mg kg(-1), but there were some species that consistently had median concentration values higher than 5-6 mg kg(-1) and much higher maximum values, particularly Paxillus involutus, Lactarius necator and several Russula species. Most species increased their B concentration in B fertilised plots, but there were exceptions, particularly Rozites caperatus and Lactarius camphoratus. Boron concentrations did not correlate with those of other elements. In conclusion, B is translocated in the mycelia of most of the studied species. The differences between species may be due to differences in their water use, or carbohydrates used in translocation. It remains to be studied, if B concentrations in mycorrhizas or mycelia in soil are in the same order of magnitude as the larger ones found here, and if this has any effects on the host plants.