RAPID TYPING OF TRUFFLE MYCORRHIZAL ROOTS BY PCR AMPLIFICATION OF THERIBOSOMAL DNA SPACERS

DNA analyses were developed to type mycorrhizas of two Tuber species o f commercial value (T. melanosporum, T. borchii) and a competitive fun gus (Sphaerosporella brunnea) which forms ectomycorrhizas with plants usually considered hosts for truffles. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA isolated from fruitbodies, mycelia, mycorrhizas and leaves of host plants, was performed with a primer pair for an int ernal transcribed spacer ITS1-4. ITS amplification followed by restric tion fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the amplified pro ducts clearly distinguished the two Tuber species at the fruitbody, my corrhiza and mycelium levels.