Evaluation of the Colonization of Plants from Five Taxa Native to Greece by (Ascomycota, Pezizales)

Fungi of the genus are famous for their hypogeous ascomata (truffles), many of which possess noteworthy organoleptic properties. shows a wide geographic distribution, has many plant symbionts and is well adapted to various climatic conditions. In this study, five taxa native to Greece (i.e., , , subsp. , and subsp. ) were inoculated with spore suspensions obtained from a single ascoma of . The fungal colonization of oak roots was evaluated at three, seven and 12 months after inoculation; the respective colonization rates for each time period were as follows: low to medium (17-41%) for , subsp. and subsp. , medium to relatively high (58-80%) for subsp. , , and subsp. , and medium to high (45-87%) for all oak species examined. Positive correlations were assessed between the number of colonized root tips and the total root tips number, but no significant differences were detected between the inoculated plants and the respective control as regards plant growth. The ectomycorrhizae formed by with subsp. and subsp. are described for the first time. The outcome of the study evidences the feasibility of generating the seedlings of various indigenous oak species (covering a large range of diverse habitats) successfully inoculated with autochthonous truffles to be readily used for cultivation purposes.