Distribution and persistence of Amanita muscaria genotypes in Australian Pinus radiata plantations

Basidiomes of Amanita muscaria were collected from sites in three 30-36-yr- old Pinus radiata plantations in New South Wales, Australia. Following DNA extraction from basidiome stipes, inter-simple sequence repeat PCR using th e degenerate primers 5 ' DHB(CGA)(5) and 5 ' DDB(CCA)(5 ') was used to iden tify the mycelial genotypes from which basidiomes arose. Each site was foun d to contain 8-10 A. muscaria genotypes, with six genotypes common to all t hree sites and one common to two sites. The presence of common genotypes at the three sites is taken to indicate that they were introduced as vegetati ve inocula when seedlings were planted and have persisted for < 36 yr.