Figure 7. Lignocellulolytic test comparing enzymatic capabilities of ascomycetous ericoid mycorrhizal fungi with the novel basidiomycete.

The ability to degrade cellulose azure of representatives of typical ericoid mycorrhizal ascomycetes (Oidiodendron maius and Rhizoscyphus ericae) was compared with the basidiomycetous isolates JPK 87 and JPK 90. This test provides a simple, effective assay for both cellulolytic and ligninolytic abilities of the screened fungi; release of azure dye from the upper part of the agar medium indicates cellulose degradation (O. maius, R. ericae) while clearing of azure dye indicates activity of ligninolytic enzymes (the basidiomycetes). In the upper row, the agar medium contains 0.1% (w/v) glucose, while glucose is absent in the lower row; it is evident, that the degree of clearing by the basidiomycetes depended on the initial glucose concentration. As complete clearing occurred only on media lacking glucose, we suggests that readily available carbon (e.g., from a host plant) may partly repress ligninolytic activity of the basidiomycetous isolates.