Sporothrix inflata, a root-inhabiting fungus of Quercus robur and Q. petraea
The anamorphic fungus Sporothrix inflata, known as a soil-borne fungus with worldwide distribution, was isolated for the first time from the cortex and central cylinder of living and dead roots of healthy and diseased oak trees (Quercus robur and Q. petraea). Isolation frequencies of S. inflata from oak roots varied according to the health status of trees, oak species, study sites, soil depth and root diameter. Colony morphology and growth rate of isolates are influenced by colony age and type of culture medium.
Root-colonizing ophiostomatoid fungi associated with dying and dead young Scots pine in Poland
Summary 
 
Ophiostomatoid fungi are carried by various bark beetles. However, very little is known about the role of these fungi in conifer roots. We studied ophiostomatoid fungi in roots of dying and dead Pinus sylvestris trees and tested the potential phytotoxicity of some isolates using a sensitive bioassay with Lepidium sativum in Poland. Fungi were identified based on their morphology and DNA sequencing. Three ophiostomatoid fungi, Leptographium procerum, Sporothrix inflata and Ophiostoma pallidulum, were isolated from the roots. The most abundant soil-borne fungus, S. inflata, and relatively rare O. pallidulum were isolated for the first time from roots of dying and dead pine trees. The frequency of S. inflata and O. pallidulum correlated with tree decline. The fungi were isolated more frequently from roots of dead than dying trees. Sporothrix inflata and O. pallidulum slightly reduced the stem and root growth of L. sativum. Leptographium procerum reduced more significantly root than stem growth. This species reduced root elongation 32–54% after 10–17 days of incubation.
Below-ground Ectomycorrhizal Community Structure in Two Picea abies Forests in Southern Sweden
Ectomycorrhizal community structure is likely to be influenced by factors such as anthropogenic stress, site history and degree of isolation. Information about the mycorrhizal community at the level of individual mycorrhizal roots is needed, since these are the organs for nutrient exchange. To identify mycorrhizal species we used morphotyping based on colour and external anatomy of the mycorrhizal roots. The morphotypes were further divided using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA extracted and amplified from the mycobionts colonizing single mycorrhizal roots. The communities studied were in two similar 60 - year - old Picea abies (L.) Karst. forests located in southern Sweden approximately 50 km apart at sites with different N deposition. The level of mycorrhizal colonization was almost 100% at both sites, but the total number of mycorrhizas was 30 - 42% higher at the northern site. Six morphotypes were distinguish...