Growth, nutrition and response to water stress of Pinus pinaster inoculated with ten dikaryotic strains of Pisolithus sp.

Reconstituted dikaryons of Pisolithus sp. (Pers.) Coker & Couch from South Africa influenced growth parameters (shoot length, shoot/root ratio and leaf area), nutrition and physiological indicators (transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and xylem water potential) of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) seedlings during drought and recovery from drought. Seedlings colonized with certain dikaryons were more sensitive to water stress and showed less mycorrhiza formation under water stress than seedlings colonized with other dikaryons. Control (uninoculated) seedlings were significantly smaller than those inoculated with dikaryons. Transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and xylem water potential varied among mycorrhizal treatments during the water stress and recovery periods. After rewatering, the controls and seedlings inoculated with dikaryon 34 x 20 had a weaker recovery in transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and xylem water potential than the other treatments and appeared to have experienced damage due to the water stress. Concentrations of various elements differed in the shoots of Pinus pinaster colonized by the various dikaryons. It is suggested that breeding of ectomycorrhizal fungi could constitute a new tool for improving reforestation success in arid and semi-arid zones.