Do the Main Components of the Sclerotia of Umbrella Polypore Mushroom, Polyporus umbellatus (Agaricomycetes), Correlate with Armillaria Associates?

Polyporus umbellatus is a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom. The growth of P. umbellatus sclerotia requires the rhizomorphs of Armillaria spp. to supply nutrition. Whether the main components (MC) of sclerotia of P. umbellatus are related to the phylogeny of Armillaria associates or other environmental factors is largely unknown. In this study, we collected 17 sclerotia and soil samples from northeast to southwest China. In total, 17 Armillaria associates were isolated, and sclerotial MC contents and soil characteristics (total N, P, K, and organic matter) were determined. The analysis revealed that the MC content of P. umbellatus did not resemble a Brownian motion process in phylogeny of Armillaria associates, but were significantly influenced by the total N content of the soil. These results provide clear evidence that sclerotia of P. umbellatus associating with phylogenetic related Armillaria associates possess differing MC content. The mechanisms of nutrient exchange in P. umbellatus−Armillaria associations now require further elucidation.