Growth on seven nutritive media and in vitro synthesis of one strain of Laccaria bicolor

Abstract

To determine the appropiate conditions for the culture of Laccaria bicolor and its potential to infect Pinus montezumae seedlings, the growth of one strain of this fungus was tested in seven culture media, and structures formed on in vitro inoculated seedlings are described. The highest growth rate and colony diameter were obtained in malta-agar extract (MAE), and biotin-aneunin-folic acid-agar (BAF) media, whereas the highest biomass production was observed in BAF and Sabouraud-agar (SAB) media. In vitro synthesis of the mycorrhizae of this fungus with Pinus montezumae was induced in 1 L flasks containing a mix of vermiculite, peat-moss and BAF broth medium. The root system was extracted for characterization after 15 months. The mycorrhizae had a simple to dichotomous morphology, with a pale brown color, a thin and plectenquimatic sheath, and a Hartig net surrounding two or three layers of the cortical cells.