The mycorrhizal and nodulation status of container-grown trees and shrubs reared in commercial nurseries

Abstract

To guide in deciding whether artificial inoculation of container-grown woody seedlings used for reclamation purposes in Alberta might be beneficial, a survey was made of seven nurseries to determine the symbiotic status of plants ready for outplanting. Eight species of woody shrubs were rarely vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal if less than 1 year old and were erratically mycorrhizal after 1 to 2 years nursery residence time. Actinorhizal shrubs (Elaeagnuscommutata Bernh. ex Rydb. and Shepherdia spp.) did not become nodulated in the 1st year, and planting stock generally lacked N2-fixing ability. The mycorrhizal status of pines (Pinusbanksiana Lamb, and Pinuscontorta Dougl.) and white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings ranged from mycorrhizal-free to complete mycorrhization. A majority of the mycorrhizae were formed by Thelephoraterrestris Ehrh.:Fr., E-strain (Complexipes), and Myceliumradicisatrovirens Melin. Amphinemabyssoides (Fr.) J. Erikss. formed a large proportion of the mycorrhizae on white spruce, which were held in nurseries for over 1 year. A stipitate polypore, Coltricia sp., is reported as a mycorrhizal associate of nursery stock for the first time.