Morphological characterization of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza in endemic conifers of southern Chile

Abstract

Nine endemic conifers species from Southern Chile belonging to the families Araucariaceae, Cupressaceae and Podocarpaceae were investigated to obtain information about their mycotrophic characteristic. All 9 species investigated were colonized by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The morphology and anatomy of mycorrhizal roots and especially the root nodules were described and documented with optic and electron microscopy. The importance of the symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi for the native forest-communities of Southern Chile and for species in danger of extinction is discussed.