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Comparison of Two Methods for Quantifying Extraradical Mycelium of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi¹

ABSTRACT

Extraradical mycelium of Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd) Gerd. and Trappe, a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus, was assessed by two quantitative methods using subsamples of the same soil. Fungal biomass was determined by a chitin assay and the length of fungal hyphae in the soil was obtained by direct microscopic measurements. Total hyphal length, including hyphae <5 µm in diameter, was not correlated (P > 0.05) with total soil chitin; however, the length of hyphae 5µm in diameter correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with VAM-fungal biomass. There is a strong relationship between these methods for the determination of the extraradical VAM-fungal mycelium. The two methods permit the calculation of a "specific mass' (µg/m) for VAM-fungal hyphae. Considerations for using either method to quantify extraradical VAM-fungal mycelium are discussed.

¹ Contribution from the Plant-Soil Symbiosis Group, Plant Development-Productivity Unit, Western Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, Albany, CA 94710.

² Plant Physiologist and Soil Microbiologist, respectively, USDA-ARS-WRRC, Albany, CA 94710.

Received for publication May 20, 1986.

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