Acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and nitrate reductase activity of selected ectomycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Seventeen isolates, encompassing five genera and eight species of ectomycorrhizal fungi, were compared for acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and nitrate reductase activity. Isolates within species differed in enzyme activity and isozyme patterns by host specificity and site (as exemplified by the genus Suillus). Host and site may have affected phosphatase enzyme activity. Generally, the Douglas-fir associates, which dominate in mesic sites, have higher acid phosphatase activity than pine associates, which mostly occupy xeric sites; however, pine associates from mesic sites also have higher acid phosphatase activity (e.g., S. tomentosus). In four isolates of Amanita muscaria, the effect of site was also apparent. Two of them, which have significantly higher acid phosphatase activity than the others, were isolated from mesic sites. The isozyme pattern of the genus Suillus appeared to be separated by host groups. Other isolates with only one species also differed more or less by host groups. They shared at least one band within host groups, except for the two isolates of Paxillus involutus from different hosts. The P. involutus S-403 isolated from an orchard showed much higher nitrate reductase activity than all other isolates. No apparent differences in nitrate reductase activity were found between the other isolates.