Axenic Synthesis of Ericoid Mycorrhiza in Vaccinium Angustifolium AIt. By Oidiodendron Species

SUMMARY Oidiodendron griseum, O. cerealis, O. rhodogenum, O. tenuissimum and O. truncatum were tested for their endophytic ability on axenic seedlings of Vaccinium angustifolium grown on a synthetic nutrient medium. O. griseum, O. rhodogenum and O. cerealis produced typical intracellular hyphal coils characteristic of the ericoid infection. For these three species, the level of infection reached 9 to 21 % of the root cells after 60 d of incubation. O. truncation and O. tenuissimum did not infect the Vaccinium roots but the latter species stunted development of secondary roots and reduced the growth of the seedlings.