First study of mycorrhizae in the Kerguelen islands

Until recently mycorrhizae had not been studied in the Antarctic region. So me studies have demonstrated that mycorrhizae occur in some southern circum polar islands. This paper gives the first results on the mycorrhizae in the Kerguelen islands (Sub-antarctic). Twenty-one plant root systems, fixed in the field, were examined microscopically in the laboratory to determine th eir mycorrhizal status. No ectomycorrhiza, arbutoid or ericoid were noted. Six plant species showed vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae: Ranunculus biter natus, Galium antarcticum, Festuca erecta, Poa kerguelensis, Agrostis magel lanica and Poa annua. However, the mycorrhizal status varied according to t he site studied. (C) 1999 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et m edicales Elsevier SAS.