Mycorrhizal status of ericaceous plants in alpine and subalpine areas

Mycorrhizal infection of Ericaceae is of considerable ecological significance in heathlands and may be of particular importance in alpine regions which experience short growing seasons and slow rates of mineralization of major nutrients. The extent of mycorrhizal infection has been determined by a chemical method based upon quantitative determination of fungal chitin. In five species of ericaceous plants selected from sites of different elevations in the alpine and subalpine zone, there is a relationship between extent of mycorrhizal infection and host vigour. Infection levels increase with decrease in altitude of sampling sites.