Effect of electric impulse on sporocarp formation of ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria laccata in Japanese red pine plantation

We examined the effect of electric impulses on sporocarp formations of ectomycorrhizal fungus in a Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) plantation. Laccaria laccata was the dominant species in this study plantation. Spatial distribution concentrated in the electric impulse treatment zone, and recorded a markedly larger number of sporocarps compared with untreated control plots. The effect of electric impulses was also recognized on L. laccata fruiting with a mycorrhizal sapling in a pot. Sporocarp production of L. laccata was strongly promoted by the electric impulse in experiments both in vivo natural plantation stands and in vitro pot saplings. Our work indicates the possibility of enhancement of sporocarp production of the mycorrhizal fungi with electric impulses in the nursery and plantation.