Inoculation with a ligninolytic basidiomycete, but not root symbiotic ascomycetes, positively affects growth of highbush blueberry (Ericaceae) grown in a pine litter substrate Ligninolytic basidiomycete enhances growth of blueberry

Aims Ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) fungi and other ericaceous root symbionts do not completely degrade lignin, therefore the presence of lignin in organic residues may present a barrier to nutrient uptake by ericaceous plants. Due to specialization of ErM and saprotrophic, lignin-degrading fungi in litter decomposition and nutrient mobilization, we hypothesized that the presence of both types of fungi may exert a synergism in the proximity of plant detritus, thereby increasing the growth of plants over those grown with only one type or no added fungi.