Influence of Sphaerosporella Brunnea Mycorrhiza on the Growth of Quercus Robur and Castenea Satina

Seedlings of Q.Robus L. and C.sativa Miller were inoculated with mycelium from Sphaerosporella brunnea (A.& S.) Svrcek & Kubicka, the only fungal species among Pezizales so far reported to form ectomycorrhizae. The effects of mycorrhizae on seedlings growth were checked after one year from inoculation by considering the following parameters: height of plants, size of stem, number of shoots, fresh and dry weight both of roots and shoots. From these data it is clear that roots from mycorrhizal plants are more developed than those from non-inoculated plants, as shown by an increase in fresh and dry weight. The other parameters did not show significant differences between inoculated and non inoculated plants. These results suggest that S. brunnea (A. & S.) Svrcek & Kubicka may be a useful inoculum for the preparation of seedlings to be used for reafforestation of areas deficient in nutrients or with impoverished mycoflora. Six other species belonging to Pezizales and commonly found in greenhouses have been inoculated on seedlings of Q.roburL. Among these six species, Sepultariaarenosa (Fuck) Boud., Lamprospora astroidea (Hazsl.) Boud. and Pulvinula constellatio (Berk & Br.) Boud are here reported for the first time as capable of forming ectomycorrhizae on inoculated plants.