Cultivation of mycorrhiza of Mesoamerican pine with edible mushrooms

The importance of wild edible ectomycorrhizal fungi is indispensable for the conservation of forest ecosystems, due to the mutualistic, non-pathogenic symbiosis they establish with woody species of which they are vital for their nutrition. In addition to carrying out this symbiosis, they participate indirectly in influencing the climate balance, participate in the conservation and formation of soils, and preserve habitats for wildlife. In the present study, the objective was to evaluate the development of ectomycorrhizal roots of Pinus oocarpa from inoculation with 3 edible ectomycorrhizal fungi, widely consumed in Mexico. Inoculated pines showed greater growth in height and stem diameter than non-inoculated pines, and a significant difference in the evaluation of ectomycorrhizal roots. In addition, the inoculation with the edible fungi evaluated resulted in a higher survival of Pinus oocarpa plants under greenhouse conditions as opposed to the controls.