Mycorrhizal Formation of Korean Truffle Species, Tuber koreanum with Oak Trees

Abstract

In this study, we examined the ectomycorrhiza (ECM) formed by a species of the genus Tuber, T. koreanum, with two indigenous Korean oak species, Quercus acutissima and Q. dentata. T. koreanum showed a high colonization rate for both oak species, with a higher mean colonization rate observed for Q. acutissima. The mycorrhizal characteristics of T. koreanum were described, revealing distinct morphological and anatomical differences between the ECM formed with the two host plants. This study is significant because it is the first to elucidate ECM formations of T. koreanum in indigenous oak trees. However, further studies are required to differentiate the ECM associations formed by T. koreanum from those of other Tuber species.

Keywords

• ectomycorrhiza
• inoculated seedlings
• oaks
• truffle
• tuber koreanum