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The stimulating effect of some soil bacteria on the growth of two ectomycorrhizal fungi (Hebeloma crustuliniforme Bull. Saint Amans and Paxillus involutus Batsch. ex Fr.) is considered. Two mechanisms are involved: a direct trophic effect of the bacteria on the fungi, and an indirect effect by detoxication of the fungal culture medium. This is supported by observations that (i) some organic acids (citric acid, malic acid), released by the bacteria, stimulate the growth of the two fungi, and (ii) Paxillus involutus releases polyphenolic substances that are toxic to itself but are metabolized by the bacteria. These first results suggest that some bacteria can have beneficial effects during the saprophytic phase of ectomycorrhizal fungi before mycorrhizal infection.
Duponnois et al. (Mon,) studied this question.