Ectomycorrhizal inoculation with edible fungi increases plant growth and nutrient contents of Pinus ayacahuite

The international trade of natural Christmas trees generates billions of US dollars annually; the production of such trees in Mexico is a growing industry, delivering around 900,000 trees annually, mainly from the native species Pinus ayacahuite. To survive, this species establishes a mutualistic symbiosis in its roots known as ectomycorrhiza. However, currently no studies have been performed regarding the ectomycorrhizal inoculation effects on P. ayacahuite. In this work, the effect of ectomycorrhizal inoculation on the growth and nutritional content of P. ayacahuite was evaluated using 2 native edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms. After 2 years, the inoculation produced increases of total dry weight and total contents of macro- (N, P and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe) of P. ayacahuite. The mycorrhization percentage of inoculated plants varied between 41% and 59%, depending on the inoculum source. Ectomycorrhizal colonization was confirmed with optical and electron microscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effect on growth and nutrient mobilization by ectomycorrhizae in P. ayacahuite; and one of the first reports on Fe mobilization in gymnosperms by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Our work also demonstrates the importance of inoculation with Helvella cf. lacunosa and Hebeloma mesophaeum for the production of P. ayacahuite plants in nurseries.