10.3 Conclusion
We conclude that formation of sclerotia grains in three types of forest soils, Podsole
(Haplic Podzols), Braunfahlerde (Albic Luvisols), and Braunerde-Podsole (Dystric
Cambisols), in the Harz Mountains is strongly regulated by the state of active
aluminum. The sources of exchangeable aluminum (Al Ex ) in the Harz Mts. soils
were layered silicates such as smectite, interstratified smectite-vermiculite, and
hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite at low pH. A relationship between aluminum and
sclerotia development has been reported across soil types. Our examination of soils
with low pH but low content of free colloidal aluminum due to intensive clay
destruction indicates that low pH is not sufficient to promote formation of sclerotia
grains. Aluminum accumulation in sclerotia grains may help to reduce the toxicity of
Al Ex in the rhizosphere of forest soils.
Sclerotia were uniformly distributed in the soil of P. abies forest, and microtopographical distribution patterns were not recognized in our large-scale study.
However, both weight and count density of sclerotia were higher in soil with sparse
understory vegetation. Our results confirm that sclerotia are indicators of chemical
properties such as acidity and degree of soil humification.
References
Blakemore LC, Searle PL, Daly BK (1987) Methods for chemical analysis of soils. N Z Soil Bureau
Sci Rep 80:1–103
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1998) World reference base for soil
resources. World Soil Resources Reports 84. http://www.fao.org/3/w8594e/w8594e00.htm
Grant WD, West AW (1986) Measurements of ergosterol, diaminopimeric acid and glucosamine in
soil: evaluation as indicators of soil microbial biomass. J Microbiol Methods 6:47–53
Haasse G, Kugler H, Kramer M, Markuse G, Barsch H (1989) Geomorphological and
geoecological problems in the Saxon and Brandenburg regions. In: Seuffert O (ed) Manual of
field trips in and around Germany: second International Conference on Geomorphology,
Geooko-Forum, vol 1. Geooko, Frankfurt
Hanle A (1995) Harz. Meyers Naturfuehrer. Meyers Lexikonverlag AG, Mannheim
Haselwandter K, Winkelmann G (2002) Ferricrocin: an ectomycorrhizal siderophore of
Cenococcum geophilum. Biometals 15:73–77
Hoffland E, Kuyper TW, Wallander H, Plassard C, Gorbushina AA, Haselwandter K, Holmström S,
Landeweert R, Lundström US, Rosling A, Sen R, Smits MM, van Hees PAW, van Breemen N
(2004) The role of fungi in weathering. Front Ecol Environ 2:258–264
Honna T, Yamamoto S, Matsui K (1988) A simple procedure to determine melanic index that is
useful for differentiating melanic from fulvic andisols. Pedologist 32:69–78
Kumada K, Hurst HM (1967) Green humic acid and its possible origin as a fungal metabolite.
Nature 214:613–633
Kumada K, Sato O, Ohsumi Y, Ohta S (1967) Humus composition of mountain soils in central
Japan with special reference to the distribution of P type humic acid. Soil Sci Plant Nutr
13:151–158
LoBuglio KF (1999) Cenococcum. In: Cairney JWG, Chambers SM (eds) Ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Springer, Berlin; New York, NY, pp 287–309
10 Spatial Distribution of Sclerotia Grains in Low-pH Forest Soils, Central Germany
191
We conclude that formation of sclerotia grains in three types of forest soils, Podsole
(Haplic Podzols), Braunfahlerde (Albic Luvisols), and Braunerde-Podsole (Dystric
Cambisols), in the Harz Mountains is strongly regulated by the state of active
aluminum. The sources of exchangeable aluminum (Al Ex ) in the Harz Mts. soils
were layered silicates such as smectite, interstratified smectite-vermiculite, and
hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite at low pH. A relationship between aluminum and
sclerotia development has been reported across soil types. Our examination of soils
with low pH but low content of free colloidal aluminum due to intensive clay
destruction indicates that low pH is not sufficient to promote formation of sclerotia
grains. Aluminum accumulation in sclerotia grains may help to reduce the toxicity of
Al Ex in the rhizosphere of forest soils.
Sclerotia were uniformly distributed in the soil of P. abies forest, and microtopographical distribution patterns were not recognized in our large-scale study.
However, both weight and count density of sclerotia were higher in soil with sparse
understory vegetation. Our results confirm that sclerotia are indicators of chemical
properties such as acidity and degree of soil humification.
References
Blakemore LC, Searle PL, Daly BK (1987) Methods for chemical analysis of soils. N Z Soil Bureau
Sci Rep 80:1–103
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1998) World reference base for soil
resources. World Soil Resources Reports 84. http://www.fao.org/3/w8594e/w8594e00.htm
Grant WD, West AW (1986) Measurements of ergosterol, diaminopimeric acid and glucosamine in
soil: evaluation as indicators of soil microbial biomass. J Microbiol Methods 6:47–53
Haasse G, Kugler H, Kramer M, Markuse G, Barsch H (1989) Geomorphological and
geoecological problems in the Saxon and Brandenburg regions. In: Seuffert O (ed) Manual of
field trips in and around Germany: second International Conference on Geomorphology,
Geooko-Forum, vol 1. Geooko, Frankfurt
Hanle A (1995) Harz. Meyers Naturfuehrer. Meyers Lexikonverlag AG, Mannheim
Haselwandter K, Winkelmann G (2002) Ferricrocin: an ectomycorrhizal siderophore of
Cenococcum geophilum. Biometals 15:73–77
Hoffland E, Kuyper TW, Wallander H, Plassard C, Gorbushina AA, Haselwandter K, Holmström S,
Landeweert R, Lundström US, Rosling A, Sen R, Smits MM, van Hees PAW, van Breemen N
(2004) The role of fungi in weathering. Front Ecol Environ 2:258–264
Honna T, Yamamoto S, Matsui K (1988) A simple procedure to determine melanic index that is
useful for differentiating melanic from fulvic andisols. Pedologist 32:69–78
Kumada K, Hurst HM (1967) Green humic acid and its possible origin as a fungal metabolite.
Nature 214:613–633
Kumada K, Sato O, Ohsumi Y, Ohta S (1967) Humus composition of mountain soils in central
Japan with special reference to the distribution of P type humic acid. Soil Sci Plant Nutr
13:151–158
LoBuglio KF (1999) Cenococcum. In: Cairney JWG, Chambers SM (eds) Ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Springer, Berlin; New York, NY, pp 287–309
10 Spatial Distribution of Sclerotia Grains in Low-pH Forest Soils, Central Germany
191