Identification of a mycorrhizal fungus in the roots of achlorophyllous Sciaphila tosaensis Makino (Triuridaceae)

The identity of a mycorrhizal fungus in the roots of achlorophyllous Sciaph ila tosaensis was investigated by DNA analysis and examination of the morph ology of the association. The morphological features of the mycorrhizal fun gus, i.e. aseptate hyphal coils, vesicles, arbuscule-like branching, and de generate coils were similar to those previously reported for other achlorop hyllous plants. Spore-like propagules identified as a glomalean fungus were propagated from root pieces of S. tosaensis in pot culture using alfalfa a s the host trap plant. A PCR product was obtained from colonized root of S. tosaensis using the taxon-specific primers, VANS1 and VAGLO. Sequence anal ysis of the DNA fragment showed it to be almost identical to other Glomus s pecies. Although it has been reported many times that the morphology of myc orrhizal fungi in achlorophyllous plants is quite similar to that of arbusc ular mycorrhizal fungi, this is the first report of the isolation and ident ification of such a fungus itself.