Methods of cultivating ectomycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

A method of inoculating a tree with an ectomycorrhizal fungus is disclosed. The method comprises contacting at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree with the ectomycorrhizal fungus under conditions suitable for inoculation of the at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root by the ectomycorrhizal fungus. Methods of cultivating the ectomycorrhizal fungus are also disclosed as well as systems and devices for same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of cultivating an ectomycorrhizal fungus on a tree, comprising growing the ectomycorrhizal fungus on at least one inoculated non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree, thereby cultivating the ectomycorrhizal fungus on the tree. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising contacting said at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree with the ectomycorrhizal fungus under conditions suitable for inoculation of said at least one adventitious root by the ectomycorrhizal fungus prior to said growing, wherein said growing is effected in a container. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tree is at least one meter high. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ectomycorrhizal fungus is an edible ectomycorrhizal fungus of a genus selected from the group consisting of  Tuber, Cantharellus, Boletus, Tricholoma, Hydnum, Lepista, Amanita, Russula, Morchella, Rhizopogon, Craterellus, Lactarius, Polyozellus, Chroogomphus, Laccaria, Albatrellus, Suillus, Amanita, Cortinarius, Gomphus, Entoloma  and  Inocybe.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tree is of the Fagales order. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said contacting is effected by:
 (a) planting said non-terrestrial adventitious root in soil adapted for growth of said ectomycorrhizal fungus which comprise an inoculum of said ectomycorrhizal fungus, or   (b) planting said non-terrestrial adventitious root in soil adapted for growth of said ectomycorrhizal fungus and inoculating said soil with said ectomycorrhizal fungus.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said soil naturally comprises rhizomorphs of ectomycorrhizal fungus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the container is permeable to light so as to allow monitoring of the growth of the ectomycorrhizal fungus and, optionally, wherein said permeable portion of said container is covered by a removable cover, said removable cover being impermeable to light so as to block light permeation in the absence of said monitoring. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said container comprises a rhizotron. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said container is fixed to the tree. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said growing is effected until generation of a fruiting body from said ectomycorrhizal fungus. 
     
     
         12 . A tree comprising at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root, said root being inoculated by an ectomycorrhizal fungus, wherein said non-terrestrial adventitious root is planted in soil in a container. 
     
     
         13 . The tree of  claim 12 , wherein the tree is at least one meter high. 
     
     
         14 . The tree of  claim 12 , comprising a plurality of non-terrestrial adventitious roots wherein at least two of said non-terrestrial adventitious roots are planted in soil in separate containers. 
     
     
         15 . The tree of  claim 12 , wherein said container is attached to the tree. 
     
     
         16 . The tree of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the container is permeable to light so as to allow monitoring of the growth of the ectomycorrhizal fungus and optionally wherein said permeable portion of said container is covered by a removable cover, said removable cover being impermeable to light so as to block light permeation in the absence of said monitoring. 
     
     
         17 . A container for cultivating an ectomycorrhizal fungus on a tree, the container comprising means for hanging said container on a trunk of the tree and at least one aperture for entry of a non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree, said at least aperture being positioned such that said non-terrestrial adventitious root is not exposed to light when cultivated in the container which is filled with soil. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the container is permeable to light so as to allow monitoring of the growth of the ectomycorrhizal fungus, and optionally wherein said permeable portion of said container is covered by a removable cover, said removable cover being impermeable to light so as to block light permeation in the absence of said monitoring. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising a plurality of the containers of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said containers are connected by connecting elements so as to form a chain.