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RHIZOMORPHS IN SOIL NOT CONNECTED WITH FUNGAL FRUITING BODIES
Author(s) -
Went F. W.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1973.tb10205.x
Subject(s) - biology , hypha , litter , botany , plant litter , mycelium , horticulture , ecology , ecosystem
About half the root‐like structures found in the litter of a Pinus murrayana forest were found to be in reality rhizomorphs of fungi. Conclusions based on direct observations of the soil are reinforced with culture experiments with litter in the greenhouse. Microscopic studies show a distinct structure of these rhizomorphs which distinguishes them from roots. Covered with a tight network of hyphae, they have very wide hyphae in their centers, which are named tracheodes in this paper. Although fungal rhizomorphs are well known in connection with fruiting bodies of mushrooms, the rhizomorphs in montane forest and desert occur apart from fruiting bodies and thus far have not been connected with any known mushrooms.