Use of Suillus collinitus to increase survival rate and resilience of transplanted Pinus halepensis seedlings in habitat restoration practices

Abstract

In-situ conservation is considered the best way to preserve biodiversity where multiple species can persist with all their natural ecological interactions. The latter element is often ignored. Criticalities can arise when ex-situ grown plants are translocated in-situ without their natural soil microbial associations, especially where abiotic stresses can be severe. Mycorrhizal Fungi (MF) provide several benefits to plants and ecosystem in which are present. The aim of the project was to investigate the use of indigenous MF to enhance acclimatization and survival of exsitu grown plants translocated for habitat restoration. The seeds of Pinus halepensis Mill. as well as sporocarps of naturally associated indigenous MF Suillus collinitus (Fr.) Kuntze (1898), were collected from Natura 2000 sites in the Maltese Islands. P. halepensis seeds were germinated under greenhouse conditions. S. collinitus was inoculated at sowing and seedling stage by placing fragments of the ripe sporocarps in the P. halepensis seedling trays. All the mycorrhized plantlets produced have been reintroduced into selected area of Natura 2000 in the Maltese Islands as part of SiMaSeed restoration project. Such MF inoculation actions can help to enhance restoration and resilience of habitats to reduce biodiversity loss.