The Biological peculiarities of selected species of Ericoid Mycorrhizal Fungi associated with blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

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Emeliane Kiladze
Nana Bitsadze

Abstract

Ericoid Mycorrhizal Fungi (EMF) play a crucial role in the mutualistic symbiotic interaction with blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), aiding in nutrient uptake and resilience to various stresses. Despite their importance, EMF remains among the least studied fungal groups worldwide. This study investigates the biological peculiarities of selected EMF species, namely Hyaloscypha hepaticicola and Oidiodendron maius, associated with blueberry plants. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the optimal growth condi-tions for EMF strains, focusing on media type, temperature, acidity (pH) levels, and humidity. It studied the interaction between two species of EMF as well by co-cultivation in vitro. Results revealed Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA) as optimal media for EMF growth, with varying temperature preferences observed for each strain (for Hyaloscypha hepaticicola it was 25 ̊C (degre-es Celsius) and for Oidiodendron maius 30 ̊C (degrees Celsius)). Acidity (pH, Hyaloscypha hepaticicola showed better growth when pH was 5 and 7, Oidiodendron maius showed better development when pH was 6 and 9;) and humidity were found significantly influence EMF growth, with optimal levels differing between strains (for Hyaloscypha hepaticicola it was 95% and for Oidiodendron maius 95% and 100%) Furthermore, a co-cultivation experiment highlighted an antagonistic interaction between EMF strains, emphasizing the comple-xity of microbial interactions in soil ecosystems. These findings contribute to our understanding of EMF biology and offer insights for their practical application of mycorrhizal fungi in agriculture. By elucidating optimal growth conditions and interactions between EMF strains, this study lays the groundwork for further research aimed at harnessing the potential benefits of EMF in sustainable crop production systems.

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How to Cite
Kiladze, E., & Bitsadze, N. (2024). The Biological peculiarities of selected species of Ericoid Mycorrhizal Fungi associated with blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The Journal of Nature Studies - Annals of Agrarian Science, 22(1). Retrieved from https://journals.org.ge/index.php/aans/article/view/178
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