Utilization of carbon sources and esterase characterization of ectomycorrhizal fungi - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v25i1.2821

Abstract

The eucalyptus is a species that forms associations with filamentous fungi called mycorrhiza. However the main problem in the use of starter inoculants in the plant nursery is the physiological differences between fungal isolates, which may interfere in the compatibility between host plant and fungal symbiosis. Three strains of Pisolithus tinctorius isolates from Eucalyptus spp., one isolate from Pinus taeda and one Rhizopogon sp, also an isolate from Pinus , have been evaluated and compared with regard to their ability to diverse carbon sources. Evaluation was based on mycelial growth in solid MNM medium and enzymatic characterization in native gel separation of á-esterases. Results showed that isolates of P. tinctorius from Eucalyptus could be differentiated in their ability to use carbon sources, which would be an aid in the selection of starter culture. Similar results were also found in Pinus taeda and Rhizopogon sp isolates. It was also possible to characterize the isolates by electrophoresis-detected á-esterase.