Richard Koske

Biography

Research in Dr. Koske’s laboratory has focused primarily on the physiological ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. While the emphasis has been on understanding the role of the fungi in primary succession, several other aspects of their biology have been investigated. These other topics include events occurring prior to root colonization (e.g., spore germination, the attraction of germ tubes to roots, and parasitism of spores by soil microorganisms) as well as taxonomic surveys of AM fungi in sand dunes of North America and the Hawaiian Islands. One recent project involved the incorporation of AM fungal inoculum during a planting of beachgrass at Cape Cod National Seashore. This study, funded by the National Park Service, was designed in part to assess the potential of AM fungi to speed the establishment of beachgrass and hasten stabilization of the mobile dunes. Another research project involved the addition of AM fungi newly constructed golf greens, where it was found that inoculated turfgrasses established more quickly and were significantly more drought tolerant than the non-mycorrhizal plants. A survey of regional greens revealed over 20 species of AM fungi growing in these highly maintained sites.

A project of continuing interest is that of using AM fungi in potting mixes to grow endangered Hawaiian plant species, many of which are extremely difficult to grow in the absence of AM fungi.

Research

Ecology of terrestrial fungi

Education

Ph.D. (Botany) 1971, University of British Columbia
B.S. (Biological Sciences) 1967, California State Polytechnic University

Selected Publications

  1. Feagin, R.A., Smith, W.K., Psuty, N.P., Young, D.R., Martinez, M.L., Carter, G.A., Lucas, K.L., Gibeaut, J.C., Gemma, J.N., & Koske, R.E. 2010. Barrier islands: Coupling anthropogenic stability with ecological sustainability. Journal of Coastal Research. 26:987-992.
  2. Tarbell, T. J. and R. E. Koske. 2007. Evaluation of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal inocula in a sand/peat medium. Mycorrhiza. 18:51-56.
  3. Koske, R. E, and J. N. Gemma. 2006. Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae on growth of two Hawaiian species: the indigenous Osteomeles anthyllidifolia (Rosaceae) and the invasive Psidium cattleianum (Myrtaceae). Pacific Science 60: 471-482
  4. Koske, R. E, and J. N. Gemma. 2005. Mycorrhizae and an organic amendment with biostimulants improve growth and salinity tolerance of creeping bentgrass during establishment. Journal of Turfgrass and Sports Surface Science. 81:10-25.
  5. Koske, R. E., J. N. Gemma, L. Corkidi, C. Sigüenza and E. Rincón. 2004. Arbuscular mycorrhizas in coastal sand dunes. pp. 173-187 In: Coastal Sand Dunes: Ecology and Restoration (eds. M. Martinez, N. Psuty, and R. Lubke). Springer-Verlag.
  6. Morton, J. B., R. E. Koske, S. L. Sturmer, and S. P. Bentivenga. 2004. Mutualistic arbuscular endomycorrhizal fungi. Pages 313-332 In G. M. Mueller, G. F. Bills, and M. S. Foster, eds. Biodiversity of Fungi:Inventory and Monitoring Methods. Elsevier Academic Press.
  7. Gemma, J. N., R. E. Koske, and M. Habte. 2002. Mycorrhizal dependency of some endemic and endangered Hawaiian plant species. American Journal of Botany. 89:337-345.
  8. Koske, R. E, and J. N. Gemma. 2002. Mycorrhizal status of two Hawaiian plant species (Asteraceae) in a tropical alpine habitat: The threatened Haleakala silversword (Argyroxyphium sandwicense susp. macrocephalum) and the endemic Dubautia menziesii. Pacific Science 56:423-430.
  9. Gemma, J. N., R. E. Koske, E. M. Roberts, and S. Hester. 1998. Response of Taxus x media var. densiformis to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 28:150-153.
  10. Gemma, J. N., and R. E. Koske. 1997. Arbuscular mycorrhizae in sand dune plants of the North Atlantic coast of the U.S.: Field and greenhouse studies. Journal of Environmental Management 50:251-264.
  11. Gemma, J. N., R. E. Koske, E. M. Roberts, N. Jackson, and K. De Antonis. 1997. Mycorrhizal fungi improve drought resistance in creeping bentgrass. Journal of Turfgrass Science 73: 15-29.
  12. Gemma, J. N., R. E. Koske, E. M. Roberts, and N. Jackson. 1997. Enhanced establishment of bentgrasses by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Journal of Turfgrass Science 73: 9-14.
  13. Koske, R. E., J. N. Gemma, and N. Jackson. 1997. A preliminary survey of mycorrhizal fungi in putting greens. Journal of Turfgrass Science 73:2-8.
  14. Koske, R. E., J. N. Gemma, and N. Jackson. 1997. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with three species of turfgrass. Canadian Journal of Botany 75:320-332.
  15. Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1997. Mycorrhizae and succession in plantings of beachgrass in sand dunes. American Journal of Botany 84:118-130.
  16. Gemma, J. N., and R. E. Koske. 1997. Arbuscular mycorrhizae in sand dune plants of the North Atlantic coast of the U.S.: Field and greenhouse studies. Journal of Environmental Management 50:251-264.
  17. Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1997. Mycorrhizae and succession in plantings of beachgrass in sand dunes. American Journal of Botany 84:118-130.
  18. Koske, R. E., C. Bonin, J. Kelly, and C. Martinez. 1996. Effects of sea water on spore germination of a sand dune-inhabiting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus. Mycologia 88: 947-950.
  19. Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1996. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi in Hawaiian sand dunes: Island of Kauai. Pacific Science 50:36-45.
  20. Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1996. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi in Hawaiian sand dunes: Island of Kauai. Pacific Science 50:36-45.
  21. Koske, R. E., J. N. Gemma, and N. Jackson. 1995. Mycorrhizal fungi benefit putting greens. U.S.G.A. Green Section Record 33(6):2-14.
  22. Suriyapperuma, S. P., and R. E. Koske. 1995. Attraction of germ tubes and germination of spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora gigantea in the presence of roots of maize exposed to different concentrations of phosphorus. Mycologia 87:772- 778.
  23. Gemma, J. N. and R. E. Koske. 1995. Mycorrhizae in Hawaiian epiphytes. Pacific Science. 49:175-180.
  24. Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1995. Scutellospora hawaiiensis (Gigasporaceae): a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from Hawaii. Mycologia 87:679-684
  25. Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1995. VA mycorrhizal inoculation of Hawaiian plants: a conservation technique for endangered tropical species. Pacific Science 49:181-191.
  26. Lee, P-J., and R. E. Koske. 1994. Gigaspora gigantea: Seasonal abundance and ageing of spores in a sand dune. Mycological Research 98:453-457.
  27. Lee, P-J., and R. E. Koske. 1994. Gigaspora gigantea: parasitism of spores by fungi and actinomycetes. Mycological Research 98:458-466.
  28. Tews, L. L., and R. E. Koske. 1994. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Wisconsin’s sandy soils. Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Science 82:83-88.
  29. Gemma, J. N., and R. E. Koske. 1992. Are mycorrhizal fungi present in early stages of succession? pp. 183-189. Proceedings of 3rd European Symposium on Mycorrhizas, Sheffield, U.K. (ed. D. J. Read, D. H. Lewis, A. H. Fitter, & I. J. Alexander). C.A.B. International, Oxon. U.K.
  30. Koske, R.E., and J.N. Gemma. 1992. Fungal reactions to plants prior to mycorrhiza formation. pp. 3-36 In: Mycorrhizal Functioning (ed. M.F. Allen). Routledge, Chapman & Hall, New York.