Ericoid mycorrhizal association: ability to adapt to a broad range of habitats

Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotically associated with the roots of members of the Ericaceae which include genera such as Calluna, Epacris, Erica, Rhododendron and Vaccinium. These ericoid mycorrhizal associations have adapted to a broad range of habitats, from mor humus soils of the northern h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMycologist Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 2 - 9
Main Authors Mitchell, Derek T., Gibson, Brian R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2006
Subjects
Calluna vulgaris
Ericaceae
Ericoid endophyte
Hymenoscyphus ericae
Mine spoil
Mor humus heathlands
Oidiodendron sp
Rhododendron
Scytalidium vaccinii
Vaccinium
Mor humus heathlands
Scytalidium vaccinii
Ericoid endophyte
Oidiodendron sp
Ericaceae
Hymenoscyphus ericae
Mine spoil
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Summary:Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotically associated with the roots of members of the Ericaceae which include genera such as Calluna, Epacris, Erica, Rhododendron and Vaccinium. These ericoid mycorrhizal associations have adapted to a broad range of habitats, from mor humus soils of the northern hemisphere to sandy soils occurring in the southern hemisphere. They also play an important part in enabling plants like Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull in the northern hemisphere to colonize mine spoils which are inhospitable environments of toxic waste for growth of most plants. The mechanisms of utilizing complex forms of nitrogen and phosphorus and providing protection against toxic metals are described. These mechanisms carried out by ericoid mycorrhizal associations enable host plants to establish in diverse habitats.
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ISSN:0269-915X
1474-0605
DOI:10.1016/j.mycol.2005.11.015