Interaction between an isolate from the Hymenoscyphus ericae aggregate and roots of Pinus and Vaccinium

A fungal isolate was obtained from Piceirhiza bicolorata-like ectomycorrhizas on Pinus sylvestris in a 160-yr-old natural woodland. The fungus was identified by sequencing the PCR-amplified rDNA ITS regions. The sequence was compared with similar known taxa and grouped with Cadophora finlandia in the Hymenoscyphus ericae aggregate. The fungus formed P. bicolorata-like ectomycorrhizas in aseptic synthesis with P. sylvestris seedlings. When seedlings of Vaccinium myrtillus were exposed to mycelium arising from these ectomycorrhizas, or to mycelium in pure culture, the hyphae entered the cells of the hair roots and formed coils characteristic of ericoid mycorrhizas. The presence of the fungus stimulated Vaccinium root growth and altered root architecture. This is the first full report of the ability of a fungus from the H. ericae aggregate simultaneously to form both ectomycorrhizas and what appear to be ericoid mycorrhizas.