Nitrite tolerance of different ectomycorrhizal and wood- and litter-decomposing fungi

Authors: Hintikka, Veikko & Niemi, Karoliina
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 39 (1999), Issue 2, pages 43-48.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1999.337
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Key words: Nitrite (NO2-), tolerance, ectomycorrhizal fungi, wood and litter decomposing fungi

Abstract:  The effect of nitrite (NO2-) on the in vitro radial growth of 10 ectomycorrhizal and 11 wood- and 19 litter-decomposing fungi was studied by cultivating mycelia on malt extract (ME) agar supplemented with different amounts of NaNO2. Nitrite tolerance differed very much between fungus species. Piptoporus betulinus and Collybia butyracea were the only fungi, which were not able to grow on NO2-media, while a mycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum as well as a litter-decomposing fungus Coprinus cinereus grew even at 2500 mg 1-1 NaNO2. Generally, the litter-decomposing fungi thriving in gardens, dung and other nitrogen (N) rich places were the most NO2– tolerant species which shows that they have adapted to continuous high supply of nitrogen. The possible mechanisms involving in NO2-tolerance are discussed.