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Using radiocarbon to determine the mycorrhizal status of fungi
Author(s) -
Hobbie Erik A.,
Weber Nancy S.,
Trappe James M.,
Van Klinken Gert J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00496.x
Subject(s) - biology , botany , mycorrhiza , litter , mycorrhizal fungi , photosynthesis , ectomycorrhiza , carbon fibers , symbiosis , ecology , horticulture , bacteria , genetics , inoculation , materials science , composite number , composite material
Summary• Measurements of 13C in fungal sporocarps are useful in assessing mycorrhizal or saprotrophic status. Because14C measurements can indicate the age of fungal carbon (C) and mycorrhizal fungi depend closely on recent photosynthate,14 C may provide additional insight into possible mycorrhizal status. • Sporocarps, needles, and litter from Woods Creek, OR, USA together with archived sporocarps were measured for 14 C content by accelerator mass spectrometry. • Known mycorrhizal fungi resembled current‐year needles ( Amanita,CantharellusandGomphidius) or atmospheric CO2(Tuber) in14C and indicated an average age of 0–2 yr for incorporated C, whereas saprotrophic genera (Pleurocybella,LepiotaandHypholoma) were composed of C at least 10 yr old. Of genera tentatively considered mycorrhizal from previous work with13C, onlyOtidiaandSowerbyellaappeared mycorrhizal from14C measurements, whereasAleuria,Clavulina,PaurocotylisandRamaria (sensu lato ) consisted of older carbon and were presumably saprotrophic. • 14C clearly separated known mycorrhizal or saprotrophic fungi and indicated13C measurements should be interpreted cautiously on species of unknown status.14C results for needles and mycorrhizal fungi suggested that C sources other than atmospheric CO2may contribute small amounts of C. Possible sources include storage of carbohydrates and amino acids, organic nitrogen uptake, and incorporation of soil‐respired CO2 by anaplerotic or photosynthetic pathways.