Abstract

Akaneme Florence Ifeoma1* and Ene-Obong Efiom Ene-Obong2

The effects of three soil collections from old pine plantations in Nigeria: Enugu, Ugwuoba and Nsukka and a control soil on mycorrhizae development as well as morphology of the mycorrhizal rootlets, anatomical confirmation of mycorrhizae development were investigated. Enugu soil induced the greatest mycorrhizal infection (44%) and growth of seedlings. It is, therefore, recommended for nursery inoculations of pine seedlings. Bifurcate mycorrhizae characteristic of pines were observed in all treatments. Coherent rhizomorphs were found to be associated with mycorrhizae in Enugu, Ugwuoba and Nsukka soils. Anatomy of the mycorrhizae showed the presence of a fungal sheath and the cortical layer with associated Hartig net. The presence of clamp connections in the fungal sheath and rhizomorphs places the fungi involved in the class Basidiomycetes.