Structure and ontogeny of <i>Alnus crispa</i> – <i>Alpova diplophloeus</i> ectomycorrhizae

<jats:p> Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursh seedlings were grown in plastic pouches and inoculated with Frankia to induce nodules and subsequently with Alpova diplophloeus (Zeller & Dodge) Trappe & Smith to form ectomycorrhizae. The earliest events in ectomycorrhiza formation involved contact of the root surface by hyphae, hyphal proliferation to form a thin mantle, and further hyphal growth to form a thick mantle. Structural changes in the host, the mycosymbiont, and the fungus–epidermis interface were described at various stages in the ontogeny of ectomycorrhizae. Fungal hyphae in contact with epidermal cells in the regions of intercellular penetration and paraepidermal Hartig net developed numerous rough endoplastic reticulum cisternae. In more proximal regions of the mycorrhiza, these gradually became fewer in number and smooth. A complicated labyrinthine wall branching system also developed in the fungus in these regions. Concurrently, epidermal cells formed wall ingrowths in regions adjacent to Hartig net hyphae. There was a gradient in the formation of these epidermal transfer cells as the mycorrhiza developed, and an additional deposition of secondary cell wall over the wall ingrowths occurred as transfer cells senesced. Nonmycorrhizal control roots did not develop epidermal wall ingrowths. Electron-dense material, which was also autofluorescent, was deposited in the outer tangential walls of the exodermis contiguous to the paraepidermal Hartig net. </jats:p>