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MYCORRHIZAE IN THE PAKISTAN ERICALES
A.
G.
Khan
Abstract:
Ectendomycorrhizae of the Pakistan Ericales viz.,
Rhododendron lepidotum
Wall, ex D. Don.,
R. afghanicum
Aitch. & Herasl.,
Gaultheria trichophylla Royle.,
Cassiope fastigiata
D. Don.,
Pyrola rotundifolia Michx., and
Monotropa hypopitys
L., were described. Microscopic examination showed typical endophyte in
and on the roots and its absence from aerial or subaerial parts. This
was supported by attempted isolation experiments.
Morphological and anatomical studies suggest a series of increasing
saprophytism and its correlated characters from Ericaceae, through
Pyrolaceae to Monotropaceae. Endogone
spores, responsible for the formation of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza
in the majority of plants, were extracted from heath rhizospheres,
except that of
Monotropa hypopitys, but no vesicular-arbuscular infections in roots of Ericales
studied were observed. The
endophyte isolated from
Rhododendron afghanicum
lacked any reproductive bodies and resembled
Mycelia radicis myrtillii,
isolated by other workers. A clamp-bearing basidiomycetous fungus
emerged from root pieces of
Monotropa hypopitys.
Department of Botany. University of the Panjab,
New Campus, Lahore
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