Research on mycorrhizas: trends in the past 40 years as expressed in the 'MYCOLIT' database.

A detailed analysis of MYCOLIT, a comprehensive bibliographic database of mycorrhizal research containing almost 12000 references, showed some interesting trends over the past 40 yr. During the last four decades, the average number of papers published per year were 84, 110, 214 and 488, respectively. The current rate of publication is about 700 papers per year.

The roots and mycorrhizas of herbaceous woodland plants: I. Quantitative aspects of morphology.

The time-course of development of the roots and endomycorrhizas of five common herbaceous plants in a southern Ontario hardwood forest (Arisaema atrorubens, Erythronium americanum, Asarum canadense, Smilacina racemosa, and Trillium grandiflorum) was examined. Root growth of these species was very slow. Formation of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizas was quantified by measuring the average distance from growing root tips at which (i) hyphal contact, (ii) root penetration, and (iii) arbuscule formation by hyphae of VA mycorrhizal fungi first occurred.

The roots and mycorrhizas of herbaceous woodland plants: II. Structural aspects of morphology.

The morphology of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizas in the roots of five species of herbaceous woodland plants, in which root growth and mycorrhiza formation were quantified in the first part of this study was examined. The root anatomy of these species was also examined in detail, using various staining procedures to observe cell wall structure, especially in the region where mycorrhizal colonization was initiated. The morphology of mycorrhizal colonies within the roots of these species was observed at different stages of development using light microscopy.

Leaf-conditioning by microorganisms.

Many detritus-feeders prefer dead leaves which are colonized by microorganisms-i.e. conditioned leaves, over freshly fallen or sterile leaves.