Several Characteristics of G.L. Barron Important for Heather Plants' Controlled Mycorrhization.

G.L. Barron is a recognized fungal species capable of forming ericoid mycorrhiza with various positive effects on host plants; therefore, newly found and previously uncharacterized strains may be valuable for heather plants' controlled mycorrhization. Characteristics of the F3860 strain were studied, i.e., mycelium growth on various nutrient media and the ability to secrete auxins and enzymes. F3860 grew rapidly on malt extract agar and potato dextrose agar. It was also able to grow on nutrient media suitable for heather plant cultivation. The presence of the flavonoids rutin and quercetin increased the mycelium growth rate compared to the control, starting from the 8th to the 13th days of cultivation. The ability to secrete auxins was confirmed with bioassay and thin-layer chromatography, and their content, as well as phytase activity, was estimated spectrophotometrically. Both in nutrient media with tryptophan and without it, F3860 secreted about 6 μg IAA/mL growth medium. F3860 possessed extracellular phytase, protease, and phenol oxidase activities. The investigation indicates F3860's promise for heather seedling inoculation as an approach to increase their fitness.