INFLUENCE OF FUNGAL PROPAGULES DURING THE EARLY STAGE OF THE TIME SEQUENCE OF ECTOMYCORRHIZAL COLONIZATION ON AFZELIA-AFRICANA SEEDLINGS

A sequence of ectomycorrhizal colonization was observed on lateral roots of Afzelia africana Sm. seedlings. Four ectomycorrhizal types were obtained by a baiting method. Among the four types, two were recognized as occurring first in the ectomycorrhizal colonization sequence and the others occurred later. This sequence of ectomycorrhizal colonization was interpreted as follows: initial ectomycorrhizal types were related to the presence of vegetative propagules in the soil (mycorrhizal root fragments, fragments of mycelial strands, and sclerotia) and to the ability of the hyphae from these propagules to grow and quickly colonize Afzelia root systems. The time required for mycorrhizal colonization from spores, however, would be much longer. The types of mycorrhizal symbionts that were established first did not affect subsequent mycorrhizal colonization. An ultrastructural study suggested that vegetative propagules could function either as structures for long-term survival of the fungus in the soil or as structures for immediate opportunistic root colonization.