Abstract
"Symbiosis in the forest ecosystem and its applications in pine forests" supported by BRAIN was discussed with special reference to the puzzle of Tricholoma matsutake. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA were analysed, and a specific PCR primer pair was designed for T. matsutake. This indicates that the presence of T. matsutake can be easily confirmed by the PCR detection. The genetic diversity of T. matsutake was investigated by using PCR-RFLP. Eight IGS1 rDNA types were identified, and type A was by far the most frequent in Japan. Sequences of ITS region among the basidiomata of T. matsutake and T. nauseosum, one of the species closely related to T. matsutake in Europe and North Afrcica, didn't deny their identity. However, whether both species are genetically the same or not should be examined from their interfertility tests (biological species). T. matsutake was elucidated to be a typical ectomycorrhizal fungus by the evidence of Hartig net structure and ATPase activity. Rapid root colonization such as a well-developed Hartig net that appeared in taproots after 2 weeks was established. The rapid mycelial growth was stimulated further by the addition of surfactants. Such a method may contribute to the establishment of T. matsutake Shiro and fruit body formation.
