A Species of Endogone from Corn Causing Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza

SUMMARYAn Endogone causing vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza has been found on corn in Illinois. The species is similar to the unnamed Endogone reported by Mosse from strawberry in England. Extra-matrical chlamyodospores were common in soil collected from around corn roots. Corn plants inoculated with chlamydospores developed typical vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. Sporocarps and extra-matrical chlamydospores were produced on hyphae attached to infected roots. Sporocarps developed abundantly on roots of inoculated plants grown in sterilized soil, but they were rarely found in field soil. The main source of inoculum in field soil appears to be extra-matrical chlamydospores. The fungus also produced vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza in roots of strawberry, onion, red clover and soybeans.