To determine the specificity of the ectomycorrhizal associations and to study the interactions between them under natural and artificial conditions.
Activities
The key activities envisaged are as follows :
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Surveys of the symbiotic root associations of 7 tree species in indigenous forests, plantations and tree nurseries in the coastal regions of Kenya by Mr Mwangi of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, assisted by Dr Ivory of Oxford Forestry Institute.
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The use of traditional fungal taxonomy (Dr Ivory) and genetic fingerprinting techniques (Dr Martin of INRA) to identify ectomycorrhizal fungus symbionts.
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Ectomycorrhiza synthesis studies to determine the effects and ecology of the associations on the selected host species by Dr Honrubia at Murcia University, Dr Ivory and Mr Mwangi.
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Studies of the morphology and anatomy of ectomycorrhizas on the selected tree hosts by Dr Honrubia.
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The provision of a 3 year studentship for a Kenyan student at the University of Murcia.
During the first year field surveys will commence during the main wet season in May and continue during the subsidiary rains in November. These will provide samples of fungi, symbiotic associations and seed of the host trees for experimental use by all partners. Subsequently during years 2 to 4 short and longer term experiments will be completed in tree nurseries, glasshouse and laboratory in Kenya, Spain and the UK. Genetic fingerprinting studies will continue in France throughout the whole period as and when suitable samples become available from the other partners.
Expected outcome
The work detailed in this programme is expected to lead to an understanding of the ectomycorrhizal associations which are formed by indigenous tree species in lowland regions of Kenya. It will also enable a better understanding of their ecology in natural forests and the ways in which they might interact with introduced tree species and their exotic ectomycorrhizal associations. This will help in the management of these species in the Arabuko Sokoke conservation forest and other forests of Kenya.
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