Effects of Pesticides on the Growth of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Ectomycorrhiza Formation

Abstract

For decades it has been observed that forest plant growth is stimulated by the controlled mycorrhization of ectomycorrhizal fungi and its subsequent success in reforestation. Similarly, pesticides have been widely used in the production of forest plants. Early studies on the effect of pesticides on ectomycorrhizal fungi revealed a negative effect on mycelial growth and the ability of mycorrhizal plant. The present chapter includes the review of the recent papers on the effect of pesticides on ectomycorrhizal fungi. It has been observed that fungicides affected at low doses, both in vitro and in vivo. However, the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi and types of fungicide allows selection of the fungicide used depending on the fungus and situations that we desire to study. In general, herbicides and insecticides are less toxic to ectomycorrhizal fungi, and in nursery conditions and mainly in the field, their effects are low or absent. Finally, a study on mycelial growth of Lactarius deliciosus, a species of commercial interest was performed to evaluate the effects of some pesticides.