In vitro ectomycorrhiza formation between Abies firma and Pisolithus tinctorius

The first in vitro aseptic synthesis of Abies firma Sieb, et Zucc. with Pis olithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch is reported. Techniques were impro ved for the aseptic synthesis of ectomycorrhizas of A. firma, a slow-growin g species in vitro, and Pisolithus tinctorius using a novel culture medium and both sterilized and re-rooted seedlings. After 2-3 months incubation, e ctomycorrhizas were formed by both methods. The mycorrhizas possessed a man tle and a highly branched nonseptate Hartig net mycelium colonizing the int ercellular spaces within the host cortex, features characteristic of ectomy corrhizas. These techniques will prove useful for addressing physiological and biochemical questions on the interactions of microbes with roots of who le plants.