Interaction between Laccaria laccata and Trichoderma virens in co-culture and in the rhizosphere of Pinus sylvestris grown in vitro

Interactions between the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria laccata and the soil fungus Trichoderma virens in co-culture and in the rhizosphere of Pinus sylvestris seedlings growing in vitro were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The growth of T virens was inhibited in co-culture. Shortened, more branched and sometimes deformed or injured hyphae of T virens were observed in the zone of inhibition. Two-month-old mycorrhizae of R sylvestris/L. laccata were inoculated with a conidial suspension of T virens and examined at intervals of 7-24 h and 2, 3, and 6 days post-inoculation (p.i.). On non-mycorrhizal roots, conidia germination was high and long hyphae formed 3 days p.i. On mycorrhizal roots, short germ tubes were observed only sporadically. At 3 days p.i., the mantle hyphae of L. laccata grew towards the conidia and coiled around them. Extremely dense coils of hyphae were found around clusters of conidia. Deformation of conidia, breaks in conidial walls and their partial degradation were observed 6 days p.i.