Ligninolysis and Nitrification in Vitro by a Nitrotolerant and a Nitrophobic Decomposer Basidiomycete

We studied the decomposition of green needles of Pinus sylvestris by a nitrotolerant and a nitrophobic decomposer basidiomycete in vitro. We determined lignin breakdown and production of nitrate. The nitrotolerant species Clitocybe metachroa caused a net degradation of lignin and simultaneously achieved a high nitrification rate, whereas the nitrophobic species C. vibecina did not cause a net decrease in lignin and did not produce nitrate. Ecological implications of both strategies in relation to competitive interactions between fungal decomposers are discussed