Development of Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhizae on pine seedlings using basidiospore-encapsulated seeds

Procedures for encapsulating seed of various pine species with basidiopores of P. tinctorius were developed. In container tests in 1979 with Pinus taeda, P. virginiana, P. elliottii var. elliottii, P. echinata, P. oocarpa , and P. caribaea , seed encapsulation with spores increased seed diameter by 1.5 mm and decreased seedling establishment by up to 60 percent. Only moderate amounts of Pisolithus ectomycorrhizae developed on most tree species. However, abundant P. tinctorius ectomycorrhizae were developed in 1980 on P. taeda seedlings in both containers and in microplots by using a coating that increased seed diameters by only 1 mm and by adjusting the watering schedule. Encapsulation with 1 or 2 mg of spores per seed reduced seedling establishment by 20 percent in microplots; 1 mg spores per seed did not reduce seedling establishment in containers. One mg of sproes per seed was as effective as 2 mg of spores per seed in forming Pisolithus ectomycorrhizae. Encapsulated seeds should be watered daily for 1 week after sowing and on alternate days for the next 2 weeks.