The mycorrhizal status of selected poplar clones introduced in Alberta

Mycorrhizal associations are essential in the establishment and growth of plant species. The types of mycorrhizas were investigated in the roots of poplar clones introduced in Alberta. We sampled roots of 28 poplar clones from a 5-year old trial established at the Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. mill site located 40 km North of Boyle, Alberta. The two most common types of mycorrhizas were quantified in plant roots. The poplar clones showed variable degrees of colonization by both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, suggesting differential host susceptibility. This highlights the potential use of selected strains of both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for inoculation trials in populiculture to improve the establishment of introduced poplars on to previously cleared agricultural or disturbed sites in the province of Alberta in particular and in the Canadian prairie provinces in general.