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<p>Large-scale monoculture plantations of <i>Pinus massoniana</i> in southern China yield valuable timber and resin but impose substantial ecological costs, threatening long-term sustainability. Although ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi can mitigate these impacts, their nursery application is constrained by inconsistent mycorrhizal seedling performance, largely because of suboptimal substrate conditions. The substrate properties that govern ECM fungal persistence and symbiotic establishment remain poorly understood, limiting the reliable production of high-quality mycorrhizal seedlings. To clarify these influences, we systematically evaluated three substrates—forest topsoil (S), a topsoil-perlite-peat mix (SPP; 1:1:1) and a peat-vermiculite-perlite mix (PVP; 3:1:1)—for their effects on <i>P. massoniana</i> seedling growth, pre-colonization fungal viability and mycorrhizal formation. The optimal substrate was further tested across diverse ECM fungal–host combinations. The PVP substrate consistently outperformed others, significantly enhancing seedling growth and root architecture. We identified substrate sterility and high water-holding capacity as critical determinants of pre-colonization fungal viability. Liquid inoculum maintained viability longer than solid inoculum (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.01), and the combination of substrate sterilization and centralized liquid inoculation substantially increased mycorrhizal colonization, achieving a rate of 53.6% for <i>Suillus bovinus</i>-<i>P. massoniana</i>. The PVP substrate supported consistent colonization across the tested <i>Pinus</i>–ECM combinations, indicating its potential applicability within the tested ECM genera, particularly <i>Pinus</i>–<i>Suillus</i> partnerships. Overall, our results show that physical and biological substrate properties govern fungal viability and subsequent mycorrhizal formation. This integrated approach—using a sterilized substrate with centralized liquid inoculation—provides a practical basis for efficient production of high-quality mycorrhizal seedlings for forest restoration and sustainable plantation management.</p>

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Substrates preserving hyphal viability improve ectomycorrhizal establishment in Pinus spp.

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Guiyun Yuan,
  • Xueguang Sun,
  • Chao Shen,
  • Feng Jiang

摘要

Large-scale monoculture plantations of Pinus massoniana in southern China yield valuable timber and resin but impose substantial ecological costs, threatening long-term sustainability. Although ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi can mitigate these impacts, their nursery application is constrained by inconsistent mycorrhizal seedling performance, largely because of suboptimal substrate conditions. The substrate properties that govern ECM fungal persistence and symbiotic establishment remain poorly understood, limiting the reliable production of high-quality mycorrhizal seedlings. To clarify these influences, we systematically evaluated three substrates—forest topsoil (S), a topsoil-perlite-peat mix (SPP; 1:1:1) and a peat-vermiculite-perlite mix (PVP; 3:1:1)—for their effects on P. massoniana seedling growth, pre-colonization fungal viability and mycorrhizal formation. The optimal substrate was further tested across diverse ECM fungal–host combinations. The PVP substrate consistently outperformed others, significantly enhancing seedling growth and root architecture. We identified substrate sterility and high water-holding capacity as critical determinants of pre-colonization fungal viability. Liquid inoculum maintained viability longer than solid inoculum (P < 0.01), and the combination of substrate sterilization and centralized liquid inoculation substantially increased mycorrhizal colonization, achieving a rate of 53.6% for Suillus bovinus-P. massoniana. The PVP substrate supported consistent colonization across the tested Pinus–ECM combinations, indicating its potential applicability within the tested ECM genera, particularly Pinus–Suillus partnerships. Overall, our results show that physical and biological substrate properties govern fungal viability and subsequent mycorrhizal formation. This integrated approach—using a sterilized substrate with centralized liquid inoculation—provides a practical basis for efficient production of high-quality mycorrhizal seedlings for forest restoration and sustainable plantation management.