Open AccessArgon-ion beam induced mutants of the ectomycorrhizal agaricomycete Tricholoma matsutake defective in β-1,4-endoglucanase activity promote the seedling growth of Pinus densiflora in vitro
Author(s) -
Hitoshi Murata,
Shota Nakano,
Takashi Yamanaka,
Tetsuya Shimokawa,
Tomoko Abe,
Hiroyuki Ichida,
Yasuhiro Hayashi,
Ko Tahara
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.458
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1916-2804
pISSN - 1916-2790
DOI - 10.1139/cjb-2020-0076
Subject(s) - pinus densiflora , biology , seedling , botany , inoculation , mutant , horticulture , gene , biochemistry
Tricholoma matsutake is an ectomycorrhizal agaricomycete that produces the prized matsutake mushroom in conifer forests. Here, we isolated mutants generated by the argon-ion beam irradiation of T. matsutake NBRC 33136, designated as Ar 5002 and Ar 5012, which are defective in β-1,4-endoglucanase activity, that promoted the above- and below-ground growth of the symbiotic partner Pinus densiflora in vitro, compared with the control. Pine seedlings associated with Ar 5002, compared with NBRC 33136, had significantly higher above-ground dry mass and significantly greater plant growth, while those associated with Ar 5012 had significantly higher above- and below-ground dry mass. There were no significant differences between the numbers of mycorrhizal root-tips synthesized by the wild-type and mutants, indicating that β-1,4-endoglucanase did not influence the mycorrhization of T. matsutake. In seedlings inoculated with Ar 5002- and Ar 5012, the Hartig nets resembled those of seedlings inoculated with NBRC 33136. The data suggest that T. matsutake lacking β-1,4-endoglucanase activity confer beneficial effects on the growth of P. densiflora. Further studies are necessary to determine whether the symbiotic relationship could be strengthened by such a mutated fungal trait.