Abstract Detail

Mycology

Thompson, Leah [1], Hynson, Nicole A. [2].

Unearthing the Role of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi in Pine Co-Invasions on Maui.

Pines are one of the most invasive trees in the world, invading with the aid of belowground ectomycorrhizal fungal mutualists. One of these pines,  Pinus radiata,  is currently invading multiple parts of the Hawaiian Islands, including near the Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui. While there are no pines or pine-associated ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi that are native to Hawai'i, previous studies have shown EM fungal species, especially suilloid species, associating with  P. radiata  up to 1000 m away from the original plantations. In order to predict areas on Maui that are susceptible to future pine invasions, we must understand how the distribution of EM fungi, specifically  Suillus  spp., varies across the landscape and how these invasive fungi affect pine seedling success. To do so, a bioassay experiment was performed in which  P. radiata  seeds were grown for six months from soil collected at varying distances from the existing plantation at the Kula Forest Reserve. Pine seedling roots were visually analyzed for percent colonization of EM fungi, weighed, and sequenced for EM fungal community composition using Illumina amplicon sequencing. The community of EM fungi found 2000 m away from the plantation was significantly different than the community within and around the plantation, and largely comprised of  two suilloids:  Suillus brevipes  and  Suillus pungens. Instead of decreasing with distance, the percent colonization of bioassay roots by EM fungi increased with distance from the plantation without reaching a plateau and increased colonization was positively correlated with increased seedling biomass. The most colonized bioassays were grown in soil from the 2000 m distance class and were largely colonized by  Suillus.  With the aid of  Suillus  spp.,  P. radiata  appears to have the symbiotic partners needed to aid in the dispersal and survivorship of seedling out into this landscape without signs of inhibition.

1 - University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI, 96822, United States
2 - University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, United States

Keywords:
Pine
Pinus-Suillus symbiont system
Co-invasion
Mycology.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: MY3, Mycology: Fungus-Plant Interactions - Ectomycorrhizae and Orchid Mycorrhizae
Location: /
Date: Tuesday, July 20th, 2021
Time: 3:45 PM(EDT)
Number: MY3004
Abstract ID:828
Candidate for Awards:None