Influence of amino acids on biomass production by ericoid mycorrhizal endophytes from Woollsia pungens (Epacridaceae)

The abilities of 12 ericoid mycorrhizal endophytes isolated from Woollsia pungens (Epacridaceae) and three Hymenoscyphus spp. isolates to grow on a range of amino acids as sole nitrogen sources were investigated in axenic liquid culture. The majority of endophytes grew to some extent on all amino acids tested, with most isolates from W. pungens showing a significant preference for histidine and/or alanine. Poorest growth of the endophytes from W. pungens was observed on lysine. In contrast, the Hymenoscyphus spp. isolates showed either no preference or a preference for lysine over histidine. Although some isolates produced some growth on the sulphur-containing amino acid cysteine, biomass production on this substrate by all isolates was significantly enhanced in the absence of inorganic sulphur.