SPATIAL-DISTRIBUTION OF LACCARIA-BICOLOR GENETS REFLECTED BY SPOROCARPS AFTER REMOVAL OF LITTER AND HUMUS LAYERS IN A PINUS-SYLVESTRIS FOREST

The spatial distribution of the genets of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor was studied by somatic incompatibility, two years after removal of the litter and humus layers in two plots of 225 m2 in a 17-years-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stand in The Netherlands. Pairings of isolates revealed the presence of three and four genets on the two sites. Genets were up to 12.5 m in size, indicating that mycelia are perennial and are of importance for mycelial spread. Age of the genets was estimated at 13 to 26 and 16 to 31 years, for the two sites. The smallest genet was represented by two sporocarps suggesting recent colonization by spores.