Identification of Symbiotic Ectomycorrhizae of Yang Tree

Yang tree (Dipterocarpus alatus) is a forest tree species that has high economical and ecological value as a timber export of Thailand. Yang tree forests had been over-logged and degraded, and thus planting and regenerating them has gained priority. Yang tree is unusual among tropical tree in being associated with ectomycorrhizal fungi. Ectomycorrhizae are the mutually beneficial symbioses between fungi and the fine roots of woody plant, and they assist the plant in the uptake of nutrients. Moreover, ectomycorrhizae are also known to be able to increase the tolerance of trees to drought,  protect the root from pathogens, and provide support, thus tree growth. However, the potential use of ectomycorrhizal fungi in reforestation initiatives relies on sound knowledge of the biological diversity and symbiotic range between trees and fungi. The identification of the fungal symbionts in ectomycorrhizae is therefore necessary.

Researchers at King Mongkut’s University of Technology in Thonburi, Thailand, have successfully identified ectomycorrhizae species by amplifying and sequencing the mitochondrial large subunit rDNA (mtLrDNA) of symbiotic fungi, and comparing the sequences to databases to identify fungal symbionts. The results revealed that the most abundant fungi were in family Thelephoraceae (i.e. Tomentella spp.).

For the abstract visit the following link: http://safetybio.agri.kps.ku.ac.th/images/stories/pdf/ectomycorrhizal.pdf