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Morphological and physiological evidences for the involvement of the root-cap in ectomycorrhiza formation between Eucalyptus globulus and Pisolithus tinctorius.

poster presentation of the Forest Biology Laboratory
AZEMAR-LORENTZ STEPHANIE, MICHEL CHALOT, BERNARD BOTTON & JEAN DEXHEIMER
University Henri Poincarè-Nancy I, Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Forest Biology, U.A. INRA 977, BP 239, F-54500 Vandoeuvre Cedex, France

ICOM1 Abstract
Observations on the root-cap anatomy in ectomycorrhizas, autohistoradiography techniques and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) applied to soluble carbohydrate determinations have shown a particular relationship between the host plant (Eucalyptus globulus) and the mycorrhizal fungus (Pisolithus tinctorius). In the functionnal part of the mycorrhiza (biotrophic area), the interactions between the plant and the fungus induced morphological changes in both partners of the symbiosis in order to facilitate the mutual exchanges. In contrast, the root-cap behaviour was completely different : morphological changes appeared only in the plant parts whereas the fungus was not affected. However, the fungus benefited of the nutrient supply resulting from a significant degradation of the cell walls (visualised by PATAg Test in M.E.T and detection of galactose in CZE), from depolymerisation of mucilage (PATAg Test and detection of fucose in CZE) and from degradation of phenolic compounds (M.E.T). Autohistoradiography showed a transfer of [3H]glutamate from the fungus to the host plant with an accumulation in the meristematic zone. These results suggest that the root-cap is not a biotrophic area but rather a saprophytic zone which may be involved in the achievement of the mycorrhizal process.