DISTRIBUTION OF VA MYCORRHIZAL ENDOPHYTES AMONGST PLANTS FROM A DANISH GRASSLAND COMMUNITY

Roots from four co-occurring plant species were examined for the infection anatomy of their VA mycorrhizal (VAM) endophytes at three harvests. From the same location, roots from seven plant species were used to inoculate cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.). The endophytes recovered on these bait plants were characterized on the basis of their isozyme pattern after polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (PAGE). The presence of particular groups of endophytes was dependent on the host plant and the harvest time. Difference in isozyme pattern from the bait plants indicates that different plant species, although growing together, may not share VAM endophytes. © 1990.