The mycorrhiza of Schizocodon soldanelloides var. magnus (Diapensiaceae) is regarded as ericoid mycorrhiza from its structure and fungal identities

Abstract

Structure and fungal identities were examined in the mycorrhizal roots of Schizocodon soldanelloides var. magnus (Diapensiaceae) to determine the mycorrhizal category. Previous studies had suggested the mycorrhizae of Diapensiaceae could be categorized as ericoid, but the mycorrhizal fungi have never been identified. The diameter of the fine lateral roots, in which coiled hyphae were found in epidermal cells, was mostly less than 100 μm. Molecular analyses identified the fungal isolates to be Helotiales and Oidiodendron. From the structure and fungal identities, we confirmed that the mycorrhiza of S. soldanelloides is an ericoid mycorrhiza.