SPATIAL-DISTRIBUTION OF LACCARIA-BICOLOR GENETS REFLECTED BY SPOROCARPS AFTER REMOVAL OF LITTER AND HUMUS LAYERS IN A PINUS-SYLVESTRIS FOREST

The spatial distribution of the genets of the ectomycorrhizal fungus L accaria bicolor was studied by somatic incompatibility, two years afte r removal of the litter and humus layers in two plots of 225 m2 in a 1 7-years-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stand in The Netherlands. Pa irings of isolates revealed the presence of three and four genets on t he two sites. Genets were up to 12.5 m in size, indicating that myceli a are perennial and are of importance for mycelial spread. Age of the genets was estimated at 13 to 26 and 16 to 31 years, for the two sites . The smallest genet was represented by two sporocarps suggesting rece nt colonization by spores.