Intercropping system of tropical leguminous species and Eucalyptuscamaldulensis, inoculated with rhizobia and/or mycorrhizal fungi in semiarid Brazil

For the purpose of reforestation and wood supply the leguminous tree Anadenanthera peregrina, a native species, was intercropped with Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a degraded semiarid area of Brazil. Single and mixed stands of these species were inoculated with Rhizobium and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The growth of all species in mixed stands did not differ from those cultivated in monoculture and land equivalent ratio (LER) exceeded unity in intercropped plots. Inoculated plants showed greater height and diameter growth and dry matter and nutrient concentration in plants of A. peregrina was higher in inoculated single plots. The distribution, composition and density of AMF species was related to the rhizosphere effect of plant species. The intercropped model where all the plants were inoculated achieved soil AMF diversity patterns similar to those of the preserved area and showed also higher soil organic matter, nutrient content as well as a reduction in soil macroporosity. This model of intercropping may be considered as an efficient system for reforestation under semiarid conditions.     

Selection of efficient VA mycorrhizal fungi for Casuarina equisetifolia—second screening

An investigation was carried out to screen and select efficient vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi for inoculating the forest tree species, Casuarina equisetifolia. The seedlings were inoculated with 10 different VAM fungi, obtained from various sources. Inoculated seedlings generally had greater plant height, stem girth, biomass and P content than uninoculated plants. They also had more mycorrhizal root colonization and spore numbers in root zone soil. C. equisetifolia seedlings responded best (in biomass) to inoculation with Glomus mosseae (Nicolson and Gerdemann) Gerdemann and Trappe, closely followed by Acaulospora laevis Gerdemann and Trappe and G. fasciculatum (Thaxter Sensu Gerdemann) Gerdemann and Trappe; all the three being statistically on par with each other.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizas and performance of Polylepis australis trees in relation to livestock density

Polylepis australis trees endemic to Argentina dominate the canopy of subtropical high altitude forests. Here, livestock rearing is the main economic activity and is suspect of the low performance of P. australis trees through direct and indirect effects which could include the reduction in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and their benefit to trees. To elucidate the role of AMF, we compare plant performance indicators, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and AMF communities in 20 trees distributed in two areas of central Argentina which differed in livestock grazing intensity. The area with high livestock density presented more soil degradation and trees with a lower overall plant performance than the area with reduced livestock density. The AM colonization values of P. australis were considerably higher than reported for other tree species and the area with high livestock density had a lower proportion of arbuscules and higher proportion of hyphae, while vesicles and AM colonization – all structure considered together – did not differ between areas. Overall AMF spore number and of most species when considered separately was significantly higher in the area with high livestock density, suggesting a high tolerance and adaptation of AMF to livestock. We conclude that a reduction in livestock improves the performance of P. australis, that this improvement could be mediated by an increase in the proportion of arbuscules, but there does not appear to be any limitation in AM colonization or AMF spore number which could otherwise be limiting forest restoration.     

Improving drought tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casuarina equisetifolia</Emphasis> seedlings by arbuscular mycorrhizas under glasshouse conditions

Effects of mycorrhizal association on improving tolerance of host plant under stress environments have received attentions in recent years. In this paper, six isolates of AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus) were inoculated to Casuarina equisetifolia seedlings under glasshouse conditions to investigate the effects of AMF on growth and drought tolerance of host plants. All the six isolates which belong to Glomus showed high mycorrhizal colonization (88.5–96.0%) with C. equisetifolia seedlings. Seedlings were subjected to drought stress without watering for 7 days and survival of the seedlings inoculated with Glomus caledonium Gc90068, G. versiforme Gv9004 and G. caledonium Gc90036 increased by 36.6, 23.3 and 16.6%, respectively compared with uninoculated seedlings. Limited influence of AMF on seedling height growth was found, but the effects of AMF on total biomass increment were very significant; the increment ranged from 25.7 to 118.9% compared with uninoculated treatment, and it was noted that AMF exerted more influences on root biomass than shoot biomass. Based on the changes in physiological and biochemical parameters among different treatments caused by drought stress, it was concluded that AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) associations improve the drought tolerance of C. equisetifolia seedlings by means of some physiological and biochemical responses, such as lowering permeability of plasma membrane and MDA (malondialdehyde) contents, enhancing concentrations of P nutrition, soluble sugar, soluble protein and activities of POX (Peroxidase) of C. equisetifolia seedlings.     

Growth response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia mangium</Emphasis> Willd. seedlings to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and four isolates of the ectomycorrhizal fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisolithus tinctorius</Emphasis> (Pers.) Coker and Couch

Some Acacia mangium Willd. plantations in Asia grow poorly due to low soil fertility and the absence of compatible mycorrhizal fungi. This legume tree can be colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi but inoculation is not routinely practiced. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of AM fungi and four isolates of the ECM fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch (Pt) in promoting growth of A. mangium seedlings under glasshouse conditions. AM inoculants were: Glomus etunicatum, G. fasciculatum, G. macrocarpum and Gigaspora margarita and mixed species extracted from rhizosphere soil of a Populus stand in Suwon (AMKFRI), and Carex (AMM6) and Populus (AMM7) growing in mine tailings in Korea. Pisolithus isolates were from Philippines (PtPhil) and Korea (PtKFRI, PtMKACC, PtKACC). Generally, ECM fungi promoted height and diameter growth of A. mangium more than the AM inoculants. The Korean Pisolithus increased plant dry weight by 122–145%, mixed AM inoculants by 61–97%, and Glomus and Gigaspora by 45–72% over the control. PtKACC gave the highest root colonization and promoted the highest growth and concentration of most nutrients. Mycorrhizal root colonization was positively correlated with plant dry weight, Na, Fe and Cu concentrations and N, P, K, Ca, Na, Fe and Cu contents. In conclusion, the results provide strong evidence for benefits of mycorrhizal inoculation on A. mangium seedlings under glasshouse conditions. The Korean Pisolithus isolates (particularly PtKACC), and two AM fungi (AMKFRI and AMM6) are potential mycorrhizal inoculants but their effectiveness and persistence should be determined on degraded lands in tropical countries where A. mangium is being planted for rehabilitation.     

Pisolithus tinctorius increases the size of nursery grown red oak seedlings

Inoculation of nursery beds with vegetative mycelia of P. tinctorius (Pt) significantly increased the number of salable 1–0 red oak seedlings produced in two of three years and the average stem height and diameter each year. The percentage of Pt mycorrhizal primary lateral roots on seedlings in the inoculated plots was significantly correlated with stem diameter and weight of lateral roots. The high rates of colonization of short roots by Pt in inoculated plots suggested the test fungus could successfully compete with indigenous fungi in forming mycorrhizae.     

Dual inoculation of a woody legume (Centrolobium tomentosum) with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi in south-eastern Brazil

The integration of N₂ fixing trees into stable agroforestry systems in the tropics is being tested due to their ability to produce high biomass N and P yields, when symbiotically associated with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi. The growth of Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth, a native leguminous tree from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, was assessed with dual inoculation of Rhizobium spp and mycorrhizal fungi under field conditions. Complete fertilization was compared to treatments of inoculation with selected rhizobia strains BHICB-Ab1 or BHICB-Ab3, associated or not to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The dual inoculation increased the height and growth in relation to the plants treated with rhizobia alone. Plants inoculated with strain BHICB-Ab1 and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) exhibited an increase of 56% dry matter over uninoculated control and nitrogen accumulation was greater than with BHICB-Ab3 inoculated plants. Strain BHICB-Ab1 presented a synergetic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi since the combined inoculation with BHICB-Ab1 enhanced plant height and dry weight more than single inoculation while the growth of BHICB-Ab3 plants was not modified by AMF inoculation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhanced plants survival and seemed to favour the nodule occupation by rhizobia strains as compared to the non-mycorrhizal plants. Inoculation with selected rhizobia and AMF improved the growth of C. tomentosum under field conditions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Agroforestry systems with Ilex paraguariensis (American holly or yerba mate) and native timber trees on small farms in Misiones, Argentina

In Misiones, in the northeast of Argentina, agroforestry systems of timber trees and perennial cash crops are becoming increasingly common. We evaluated the productivity of Ilex paraguariensis St Hill (South American holly or yerba mate, Aquifoliaceae) in association with indigenous trees: Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vellozo) Morong. (timbó, Leguminosae, a N₂-fixing tree), and two timber species, Balfourodendron riedelianum (Engler) Engler (guatambú, Rutaceae) and Tabebuia heptaphylla (Vellozo) Toledo (lapacho negro, Bignoniaceae). Five years after planting, the tree species were 2.7 to 5.0 m high and 3 to 7 cm in diameter at breast height, and the yerba mate produced its first harvest. Additionally, the production of associated crops of subsistence covered the annual needs of the farmer. These systems are promising for sustainable use of deforested lands in the region.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth and nutrient concentration of two native forage legumes inoculated with Rhizobium and Mycorrhiza in Missouri, USA

The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri has tested numerous native legumes for potential use in agroforestry and selected Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michaux) MacMillan ex Robinson and Fern.) and panicled tick clover (Desmodium paniculatum (L.) DC.) for further testing. Our objective was to document the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) (Glomus spp.) and Rhizobium on growth and nutrient concentration of these legumes. Seeds were planted in a greenhouse and inoculated with one of two species of AM and/or one of two strains of Rhizobium. Plants were harvested after 80 d and data taken on leaf and stem dry weight, root fresh weight, stem height, nodulation, AM colonization, and N, P, K, Ca, and Mg concentration. Inoculation with Rhizobium did not affect plant growth in Illinois bundleflower, but colonization by Glomus intraradices increased all plant growth variables except stem height. Nutrient concentration was unaffected by the presence of either endophyte. In contrast, inoculation of panicled tick clover with Rhizobium str. 41Z10 increased leaf dry weight (32%) compared to the control and root fresh weight (41%) compared to str. 32Z3, and colonization by G. intraradices increased leaf dry weight (35%) and stem height (26%). Both species of AM increased P and K concentration (41% and 55%, respectively) in panicled tick clover. Our results suggest that the growth of these legumes can be improved by the use of proper AM species and/or Rhizobium strains. However, additional research to identify the best Rhizobium and AM inoculates for these plant species is important in developing strategies for their use in agroforestry. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Improvement of early growth of two tropical peat-swamp forest tree species Ploiarium alternifolium and Calophyllum hosei by two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under greenhouse conditions

Tropical peat-swamp forests are one of the largest near-surface reserves of terrestrial carbon. However, many peat-swamp forest tree species have resulted in the reduction due to over-exploitation, forest fires and conversion into agricultural land in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus clarum and G. aggregatum, on the early growth of two slow-growing peat-swamp forest tree species, Ploiarium alternifolium and Calophyllum hosei, under greenhouse conditions. Cuttings of P. alternifolium and C. hosei were uninoculated or inoculated with G. clarum and G. aggregatum and grown under greenhouse conditions for 6 months. Percentage AM colonization, plant growth, phosphorus (P) concentration and survival rate were measured. The AM colonization of P. alternifolium and C. hosei ranged from 27 to 32% and 18 to 19%, respectively. Colonization by G. clarum and G. aggregatum increased shoot height, stem diameter, leaf number, and shoot and root dry weights. Cutting shoot P content were increased by AM fungal colonization. The survival rates of inoculated plants were higher (100%) than those of control plants (67%). The results suggest that inoculation with AM fungi improves early growth of P. alternifolium and C. hosei in a tropical peat-swamp forest and can therefore contribute to rehabilitation of peat-swamps.     

Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amygdalus scoparia</Emphasis> Spach plantations and a natural stand

The biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was surveyed in the Kolm region of Iran in three adjacent sites, a natural stand, a 10-year-old and a 15-year-old plantation of Amygdalus scoparia. To date, there have been few studies of AMF biodiversity in Iran, especially in the western forests of the country. For this study, soil and root samples were taken from A. scoparia rhizosphere soil in spring and autumn. Almost half of the root length was colonized by AMF. We identified 13 AMF species belonging to Glomeraceae, Claroideoglomeraceae or Diversisporaceae. The three plantations differed in terms of soil electrical conductivity, organic C and P. Spore density was significant correlated with P concentration. Root length colonization was correlated only with soil Ca. Species diversity and richness were significantly correlated with soil N, P, organic C and spore density. AMF diversity in 15-year-old plantations was more similar to that in the natural stand than in the 10-year-old plantation. We confirmed that a 15-year-old plantation is not similar in terms of AMF colonization to natural stands. We conclude that more than 15 years are required for AMF colonization of plantations to resemble that of natural stands.     

In vitro ectomycorrhizal formation of Pinus patula, P. pseudostrobus, P. oocarpa and P. elliotii grown in southern India

In vitro syntheses of ectomycorrhizas of Pinus patula, P. pseudostrobus, P. oocarpa and P. elliotii with Amanita muscaria, Laccaria fraterna, L. laccata, Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon luteolus, Scleroderma citrinum and Thelephora terrestris were attempted. Most of the fungi initiated mycorrhizal formation within 2 weeks after inoculation. Laccaria fraterna and S. citrinum formed mycorrhizas after 6 weeks of inoculation. Amanita muscaria failed to form mycorrhizas during the 12 week period of observation. The degree of colonization of different mycorrhizal fungi varied with different species of Pinus.     

Seed source and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiont affects growth of Juglans nigra seedlings

Seedlings of Juglans nigra from three seed sources were grown in fumigated soil without vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi or inoculated with Gigaspora margarita, Glomus deserticola or Glomus etunicatum. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal development varied significantly between fungal symbionts within a black walnut source. Glomus deserticola and G. etunicatum produced the highest levels of root colonization in all sources. Significant differences in seedling shoot and root growth were attributed to root colonization by specific VAM fungi in each black walnut source. Glomus deserticola stimulated seedling leaf area and root weight 26 and 52%, respectively, in one seed source. Seedling leaf N, P and K concentrations were significantly improved by VAM in two seed sources. Juglans nigra seedlings respond favorably to VAM colonization. However, differences between seed sources suggest a strong host-symbiont interaction.     

孟加拉国Dinajpur农林复合区内不同树种和作物种中丛枝菌根分布和孢子群落多样性的研究

从孟加拉国Dinajpur地区采集了不同农林复合区内树种和作物种,对采集植物的丛枝菌根多样性进行了研究.在3个取样地采集了18种植物的根和根际土,取样地和被采取植物分别为：取样地Dashmail为黄豆树 （Albizia procera Benth.）、小指椒 （Capsicum frutescens L）、姜黄（Curcuma domestica Vahl）、印度黄檀 （Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.） 和大叶桃花心木（Swietenia macrophylla）5种植物; 取样地Kantaji为姜黄（C.Domestica）、印度檀 （D.Sissoo）、赤桉 （Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnn.）、石梓（Gmelina arborea （Roxb） DC） 和水稻 （Oryza sativa L.） 5种植物; 取样地Ramsagar为姜黄（C.Domestica）, 印度檀 （D.Sissoo）, Litchi chinensis Sonn.和水稻.在取样地Dashmail,植物丛枝的分布范围在36%-79%,其中分布最高的是小指椒,达到79%,而C.Domestica仅占36%.取样地 Kantaji丛枝的分布范围在33%-70%之间,其中分布最高的是石梓,达到79%,而O.Sativa分布最低,仅36%.取样地 Ramsagar丛枝的分布范围在35%-70%之间,印度檀丛枝分布在该地最高, 达70%,而水稻丛枝在该地的分布最小,仅35%.在采样地Dashmail,每100克干土中所含采样植物丛枝菌根孢子群落54-140个;孢子群落最多的是印度檀（140/100g dry soil）,最低的是姜黄（C.Domestica） （40/100g dry soil）.在采样地Kantaji,孢子群落在63-221/100g dry soil,石梓具有的群落最高,为221/100g dry soil;印度檀为63/100g dry soil.在采样地Ramsagar, 所具有的最高和最低群落分别是 160/100g dry soil （D.Sissoo）和69/100g dry soil（L.Chinensis）.土壤Ph值与土壤中丛枝分布和菌根孢子群落无显著相关性.Simpson多样性指数和Shannon多样性指数在取样地Kantaji 的印度檀土壤中最高;而在取样地Ramsagar的水稻土壤中最低.研究表明孟加拉国Dinajpur地区丛枝菌根的存在、树种和作物种中的营养性质、丛枝菌根的必要性和贡献以及复合农林植物生长与丛枝?     

Rock phosphate and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza effects on growth and nutrient uptake of Faidherbia albida (Del.) seedlings in an alkaline sandy soil

Response of Faidherbia albida (Del.) to five levels of Kodjari rock phosphate (KRP) application (0, 310, 620, 1240 and 2480 ppm P, equivalent to 0, 775, 1550, 3100 and 6200 kg P/ha) and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) Glomus manihotis Howeler, Sieverding & Schenck or Glomus aggregatum Schenck & Smith emend. Koske was evaluated in an alkaline sandy soil. The F. albida seedlings grew poorly without mycorrhizal colonization and without KRP applications. For non-VAM Faidherbia, the maximum growth response and both P and N uptake in shoots was achieved with the 620 ppm P. However, even without KRP application, VAM plants achieved better results in terms of biomass. VAM plants with G. manihotis and G. aggregatum improved plant growth and increased nutrient contents at any KRP application rate. Although mycorrhizal colonization was comparable at all levels of KRP application, the impact of nutrient content of the shoot varied. Finally, VAM plants did not accumulate more biomass than non-VAM plants at 620 ppm P and above. Growth response and mycorrhizal dependency decreased as KRP applied levels increased. These results suggest that VAM Faidherbia seedlings take up more P from soil and KRP than non-VAM.     

印度东北部黄兰种植区丛枝菌根真菌的侵染和分布(英文)

调查了印度东北部梅加拉亚邦(Meghalaya)3个黄兰种植区(Umdihar,Umsaw和Mawlein)内丛枝菌根真菌和暗隔真菌的侵染。分离和鉴定了丛枝菌根真菌孢子,根据不同黄兰种植区内菌根菌种分布和丰富度评价了菌根菌多样性和寄主选择性。结果表明,丛枝菌根真菌侵染显著高于暗隔真菌。丛枝菌根真菌和暗隔真菌的侵染分别是50.91%～58.95%和1.84%～4.11%。真菌孢子密度在三个种植区内变化较大(p0.05)。在所鉴定的7个属29个菌种中,球囊霉属菌种的丰富度最高。Sorenson系数在0.35-7.0之间。种植区内菌种丰富度在2.0～2.9之间。总的菌种丰富度与总的相对丰富度显著相关(p=0.001)。真菌分布、相对丰富度和主成分分析结果表明,大果球囊霉(Glomus macrocarpum)、Glomus multicaulic、缩不囊霉(G.constrictum)和无梗囊霉是黄兰最偏好的菌种,可能是由于寄主的营养获得和生长较为适当。图6表5参27。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in Boswellia papyrifera (frankincense-tree) dominated dry deciduous woodlands of Northern Ethiopia

This study assessed the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of Boswellia papyrifera (frankincense-tree) dominated dry deciduous woodlands in relation to season, management and soil depth in Ethiopia. We studied 43 woody species in 52 plots in three areas. All woody species were colonized by AM fungi, with average root colonization being relatively low (16.6% – ranging from 0% to 95%). Mean spore abundance ranged from 8 to 69 spores 100 g⁻¹ of dry soil. Glomus was the dominant genus in all study sites. Season had a strong effect on root colonization and spore abundance. While spore abundance was higher (P < 0.001) in the dry season in all three study sites, root colonization showed a more variable response. Root colonization was reduced in the dry season in the site that was least subject to stress, but increased in the dry season in the harshest sites. Management in the form of exclosures (that exclude grazing) had a positive effect on spore abundance in one of the two sites considered. Spore abundance did not significantly differ (P = 0.17) between the two soil depths. Our results show that in this arid region all trees are mycorrhizal. This has profound consequences for rehabilitation efforts of such dry deciduous woodlands: underground processes are vital for understanding species adaptation to pulsed resource availability and deserve increasing attention.     

丛枝菌根真菌对在含砷土壤中的云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)生长的影响(英文)

孟加拉东南部土壤中的砷含量很高,不仅威胁人的健康,而且对土壤也有破坏作用。云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)在孟加拉是个快速生长的树种,也是含砷土壤中的潜力树种。研究评价了含砷试验土中丛枝菌根真菌对云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)生长的影响。播种前,四种不同浓度的砷(10mg·kg-1、25mg·kg-1、50mg·kg-1和100mg·kg-1)被加入到试验土中。记录生长参数,如,植物的根、苗鲜重、干重、冠幅径、根长和苗高、根瘤菌和孢子菌群落。菌根植株较非菌根植株生长好。与其它含砷量高的土壤中植株的生长情况相比,在含砷量为10-mg·kg-1的土壤中,菌根植株和菌根生长效果最佳,菌根植株生物量最高。随着砷浓度的增加,种苗生长,根瘤菌和孢子菌群落均明显降低p0.05)。与非菌根植株比较,菌根植株高生长增加了40%,生物量增加了2.4倍。研究表明,根瘤菌接种可以减少有害土壤中的云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)的初生长的影响。     

Growth and Mycorrhizal Dependency of Acacia mangium Willd. Inoculated with Three Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Lateritic Soil

Three VA-mycorrhizal fungi; Glomus occultum, Glomus aggregatum (local isolates) and G. mosseae (strain from Bangalore, India) were inoculated to assess their effect on growth of Acacia mangium in lateritic soil. All inoculations enhanced growth with respect to shoot height, root diameter, leaf area, chlorophyll content and biomass of A. mangium significantly compared to uninoculated control seedlings. G. occultum proved most efficient among the three. The mycorrhizal dependency factor indicated that the growth of A. mangium was 57% dependent on G. occultum, 47% on G. mosseae and 46% on Glomus aggregatum.     

Ectomycorrhizal inoculation of Douglas-fir transplanted container seedlings with commercially produced inoculum

Commercially produced vegetative inocula of Laccaria laccata and Hebeloma crustuliniforme successfully formed ectomycorrhizae with Douglas-fir transplanted container (plug+1) seedlings. After 4.5 months in containers, 83% and 90%, respectively, of short roots were mycorrhizal. L. laccata- or H. crustuliniforme-inoculated seedlings had significantly more mycorrhizal and total short roots than Pisolithus tinctorius-inoculated (4% mycorrhizal root tips) or uninoculated control seedlings. No significant differences were detected in seedling growth at the end of the container phase.After transplantation and growth in nursery beds for 17 months, mean new short root colonization of all seedlings was 80%. H. crustuliniforme persisted as a dominant mycorrhizal fungus on seedlings initially inoculated with this fungus. L. laccata-inoculated seedlings had 40% of their short roots colonized by L. laccata and another 40% by native fungi Rhizopogon and Thelephora spp. All mycorrhizae of control seedlings and those inoculated with P. tinctorius were formed by fungi native to the nusery beds. A significant fungal treatment effect was detected for shoot height only. Control seedlings were significantly taller than L. laccata-inoculated seedlings after transplanting.This article is part of senior author's thesis in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree in the Department of Forest Science at Oregon State University, Corvallis.