Abstract

The growth and ability of Scleroderma sinnamariense isolated from Gnetum africanumectomycorrhiza root tips to solubilise calcium tetrahydrogen diorthophosphate, calcium phytate, hydroxyapatite and amorphous iron phosphate was assessed in axenic culture under a range of conditions. S. sinnamariense grew on all P sources when NH₄⁺ was sole nitrogen source, but failed to grow on amorphous iron phosphate in unbuffered media with peptone as sole nitrogen source. The fungus solubilised calcium tetrahydrogen diorthophosphate and hydroxyapatite in unbuffered media with NH₄⁺ as nitrogen source. The internal phosphorus status of the mycelia had no influence on the ability of the fungus to solubilise the substrates. The data confirmed that mycorrhizal fungi can access P sources which are normally unavailable and may pass on the absorbed P to the plant partner in case of symbiosis.

Key words: Phosphorus solubilisation, Scleroderma sinnamariense, mycorrhiza fungus.