Composition of the organic phosphorus fraction in basidiocarps of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi

In our screening, we aimed to detect phosphonates and other forms of organic phosphorus in basidiocarps and vegetative mycelia of six common basidiomycetes. Organic phosphorus-containing compounds were extracted in alkali and analysed using ³¹P NMR. Monoesters, diesters, pyrophosphates and polyphosphates detected in high amounts reflected the high metabolic activity in basidiocarps (growth, production of basidiospores). Phosphonates were present in all samples, in concentrations ranging from 14 mg kg⁻¹ of the extracted phosphorus in Boletus badius basidiocarp to 140 mg kg⁻¹ in Amanita muscaria vegetative mycelium. Detection of phosphonates in basidiocarps together with our previous evidence from laboratory experiments support the fungal production of natural phosphonates in forest ecosystems.     

Saprotrophic mycelial cord abundance, length and survivorship are reduced in the conversion of tropical cloud forest to shaded coffee plantation

One of the most conspicuous soil elements of the tropical cloud forest in central Veracruz, mycelial cord-forming fungi, is strongly affected by the conversion of forest into shaded coffee plantations. Mycelial cord-forming fungi are less abundant, smaller and have a sharper mortality rate in shaded coffee plantations than in relatively conserved forest sites. I present evidence that suggests that changes in soil microenvironmental conditions affect the abundance of mycelial cord forming fungi. These results lend further support to growing evidence that the biodiversity of the understorey and soil are not being conserved within shaded coffee plantations. This contrasts markedly with other studies that suggest that over storey biota is effectively conserved by this conversion.