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

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.

• Koske, R.E., J.C. Sutton, and B.R. Sheppard. 1975. Ecology of Endogone in Lake Huron sand dunes. Canadian Journal of Botany 53:87-93. Includes description of aggregation of sand grains by AMF.


• Koske, R.E. 1975. Endogone spores in Australian sand dunes. Canadian Journal of Botany 53:668-672.


• Koske, R.E. 1981. Invisible fungi nourish dune-building beachgrass. Maritimes 24(3):4-6.


• Koske, R.E. 1981. A preliminary study of interactions between species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a sand dune. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 76:411-416.


• Koske, R.E., and W.L. Halvorson. 1981. Ecological studies of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in a barrier sand dune. Canadian Journal of Botany 59:1413-1422.


• Koske, R.E. 1981. Labyrinthula inside spores of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Mycologia 73:1175-1180.


• Koske, R.E., D.D. Miller, and C. Walker. 1983. Gigaspora reticulata: a newly described endomycorrhizal fungus from New England. Mycotaxon 16:429-435.


• Bergen, M., and R.E. Koske. 1984. V-A mycorrhizal fungi from sand dunes of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 83:157-158.


• Koske, R.E., and W.R. Polson. 1984. Are VA mycorrhizae required for sand dune stabilization? BioScience 34:420-424.


• Koske, R.E. and C. Walker. 1984. Gigaspora erythropa: a new species forming arbuscular mycorrhizae. Mycologia 76:250-255.


• Koske, R.E. 1985. Glomus aggregatum emended: a distinct taxon in the Glomus fasciculatum complex. Mycologia 77:619-630.


• Koske, R.E., and C. Walker. 1985. Species of Gigaspora (Endogonaceae) with roughened outer walls. Mycologia 77:302-320.


• Berch, S.M., and R.E. Koske. 1986. Glomus pansihalos, a new species in the Endogonaceae (Zygomycetes). Mycologia 78:832-836.


• Halvorson, W.L., R.E. Koske, and D.P. Morris. 1986. Dune stabilization on San Miguel Island (California). Restoration and Management Notes. 4(1):35.


• Koske, R.E. 1986. VAM fungi of Rhode Island dunes. Mycological Society of America Newsletter 37(2):43.


• Koske, R.E., C.F. Friese, C. Walker and Y. Dalpe. 1986. Glomus pustulatum: a new species in the Endogonaceae. Mycotaxon 26:143-149.


• Koske, R.E., J.N. Gemma and P.D. Olexia. 1986. Glomus microaggregatum, a new species in the Endogonaceae. Mycotaxon 26:125-132.


• Koske, R.E., and C. Walker. 1986. Glomus globiferum: a new species in the Endogonaceae with a hyphal peridium. Mycotaxon 26:133-142.


• Koske, R.E., and C. Walker. 1986. Smooth-walled species of Scutellospora (Endogonaceae) from maritime sand dunes: two new species and a redescription of spores of Scutellospora pellucida and Scutellospora calospora. Mycotaxon 27:219-235.


• Koske, R.E. 1987. Distribution of VA mycorrhizal fungi along a latitudinal temperature gradient. Mycologia 79:55-68.


• Koske, R.E., and L.L. Tews. 1987. VA mycorrhizal fungi of some Wisconsin sandy soils. Mycologia 79:901-905.


• Gemma, J.N., and R. E. Koske. 1988. Seasonal variation in spore abundance and dormancy of Gigaspora gigantea and in the mycorrhizal inoculum potential of a dune soil. Mycologia 80:211-216.


• Halvorson, W.L., and R.E. Koske. 1988. Coastal dune communities. pp. 80-90. In: Freshwater and Marine Plants of Rhode Island. (eds. R.G. Sheath and M.M. Harlin). Kendall Hunt, Iowa.


• Koske, R.E. 1988. VA mycorrhizae of some Hawaiian dune plants. Pacific Science 42:217-229.


• Gemma, J.N. and R.E. Koske. 1989. Field inoculation of American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) with VA mycorrhizal fungi. Journal of Environmental Management 29:173-182.


• Gemma, J.N., R.E. Koske, and M.M. Carreiro. 1989. Seasonal dynamics of five species of VA fungi in a sand dune. Mycological Research 92:27-32.


• Koske, R.E. and J.N. Gemma. 1990. VA mycorrhizae in vegetation of the Hawaiian coastal strand: evidence for co-dispersal of fungi and plants. American Journal of Botany 77:466-474.


• Koske, R.E. and J.N. Gemma. 1990. Glomus nanolumen: a new species of Endogonaceae from Hawaii. Mycologia 81:935-938.


• Koske, R.E. and W.L. Halvorson. 1990. Scutellospora arenicola and Glomus trimurales: two new species of Endogonaceae from sand dunes. Mycologia 81:927-933.


• Friese, C. F., and R. E. Koske. 1991. The spatial dispersion of spores of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a sand dune: microscale patterns associated with the root architecture of American beachgrass. Mycological Research 95:952-957.


• Dalpe, Y., R. E. Koske, and L. L. Tews. 1992. Glomus lamellosum sp. nov.: a new Glomaceae associated with beach grass. Mycotaxon 43:289-293.


• Koske, R. E. and J. N. Gemma. 1992. Restoration of early and late successional dune communities at Province Lands, Cape Cod National Seashore. Tech. Rep. NPS/NARURI/NRTR-92/03. Coop. NPS Studies Unit, Univ. Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Campus. 158 pp.


• 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.


• Lee, P-J., and R. E. Koske. 1994. Gigaspora gigantea: parasitism of spores by fungi and actinomycetes. Mycological Research 98:458-466.


• 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.


• Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1995. Scutellospora hawaiiensis (Gigasporaceae): a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from Hawaii. Mycologia 87:679-684.


• Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1996. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi in Hawaiian sand dunes: Island of Kauai. Pacific Science 50:36-45.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.

• Gemma, J. N., and R.E. Koske. 1990. Mycorrhizae in recent volcanic substrates in Hawaii. American Journal of Botany 77:1193-1200.


• Koske, R.E. and J.N. Gemma. 1990. VA mycorrhizae in vegetation of the Hawaiian coastal strand: evidence for co-dispersal of fungi and plants. American Journal of Botany 77:466-474.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• Koske, R. E. and J. N. Gemma. 1992. Restoration of early and late successional dune communities at Province Lands, Cape Cod National Seashore. Tech. Rep. NPS/NARURI/NRTR-92/03. Coop. NPS Studies Unit, Univ. Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Campus. 158 pp

• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.

• Koske, R.E. 1981. Gigaspora gigantea: observations on spore germination of a VA-mycorrhizal fungus. Mycologia 73:288-300.


• Koske, R.E. 1981. Multiple germination by spores of Gigaspora gigantea. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 76:328-330.


• Koske, R.E. 1982. Evidence for a volatile attractant from plant roots affecting germ tubes of a VA-mycorrhizal fungus. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 79:305-310.


• Koske, R.E. 1984. Spores of VAM fungi inside spores of VAM fungi. Mycologia 76:853-862.


• Cooke, J.C., J.N. Gemma, and R.E. Koske. 1987. Observations on nuclei in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Mycologia 79:331-333.


• Gemma, J.N., and R.E. Koske. 1988. Pre-infection interactions between roots and the mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora gigantea: chemotropism of germ tubes and root growth response. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 91:123-132.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.

• Koske, R.E. 1988. VA mycorrhizae of some Hawaiian dune plants. Pacific Science 42:217-229.


• Gemma, J.N., and R.E. Koske. 1988. Plant-fungus symbiosis may aid conservation of the Hawaiian flora. Bulletin of the Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden 18(2-3):38-41.


• Koske, R.E., J.N. Gemma, and W.C. Mueller. 1989. Observations on the "sporocarps" of the V-A mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus litchii. Mycological Research 92:488-490.


• Gemma, J. N., and R.E. Koske. 1990. Mycorrhizae in recent volcanic substrates in Hawaii. American Journal of Botany 77:1193-1200.


• Koske, R.E. and J.N. Gemma. 1990. VA mycorrhizae in vegetation of the Hawaiian coastal strand: evidence for co-dispersal of fungi and plants. American Journal of Botany 77:466-474.


• Koske, R.E. and J.N. Gemma. 1990. Glomus nanolumen: a new species of Endogonaceae from Hawaii. Mycologia 81:935-938.


• Koske, R.E., J.N. Gemma and L. Englander. 1990. Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae in Hawaiian Ericales. American Journal of Botany 77:64-68.


• 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.


• Gemma, J. N., R. E. Koske, and T. Flynn. 1992. Mycorrhizae in Hawaiian Pteridophytes: Occurrence and evolutionary significance. American Journal of Botany 79:843-852.


• Koske, R. E. and J. N. Gemma. 1992. Fungal symbiosis may aid in conservation of endangered tropical plant species. Qtr. Newslett. Hawaii State Division of Forestry and Wildlife 7(3):16-17.


• Koske, R. E., J. N. Gemma, and M. F. Doyle. 1992. Mycorrhizal status of Gunnera petaloidea in Hawai`i. Pacific Science 46:480-483.


• Koske, R. E., J. N. Gemma, and T. Flynn. 1992. Mycotrophy in Hawaiian angiosperms: A survey with implications for the origin of the native flora. American Journal of Botany 79:853-862.


• Gemma, J. N. and R. E. Koske. 1995. Mycorrhizae in Hawaiian epiphytes. Pacific Science. 49:175-180.


• 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.


• Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1995. Scutellospora hawaiiensis (Gigasporaceae): a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from Hawaii. Mycologia 87:679-684


• Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1996. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi in Hawaiian sand dunes: Island of Kauai. Pacific Science 50:36-45.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.

• Koske, R.E., D.D. Miller, and C. Walker. 1983. Gigaspora reticulata: a newly described endomycorrhizal fungus from New England. Mycotaxon 16:429-435.


• Koske, R.E. and C. Walker. 1984. Gigaspora erythropa: a new species forming arbuscular mycorrhizae. Mycologia 76:250-255.


• Koske, R.E. 1985. Glomus aggregatum emended: a distinct taxon in the Glomus fasciculatum complex. Mycologia 77:619-630.


• Koske, R.E., and C. Walker. 1985. Species of Gigaspora (Endogonaceae) with roughened outer walls. Mycologia 77:302-320.


• Koske, R.E. 1986. Keys to Glomus species with spores lacking characteristics that make them easy to identify (humor). Mycological Society of America Newsletter 37(1):59.


• Koske, R.E., C.F. Friese, C. Walker and Y. Dalpe. 1986. Glomus pustulatum: a new species in the Endogonaceae. Mycotaxon 26:143-149.


• Koske, R.E., J.N. Gemma and P.D. Olexia. 1986. Glomus microaggregatum, a new species in the Endogonaceae. Mycotaxon 26:125-132.


• Koske, R.E., and C. Walker. 1986. Glomus globiferum: a new species in the Endogonaceae with a hyphal peridium. Mycotaxon 26:133-142.


• Berch, S.M., and R.E. Koske. 1986. Glomus pansihalos, a new species in the Endogonaceae (Zygomycetes). Mycologia 78:832-836.


• Koske, R.E., and C. Walker. 1986. Smooth-walled species of Scutellospora (Endogonaceae) from maritime sand dunes: two new species and a redescription of spores of Scutellospora pellucida and Scutellospora calospora. Mycotaxon 27:219-235.


• Walker, E., and R.E. Koske. 1987. Taxonomic concepts in the Endogonaceae: Glomus fasciculatum redescribed. Mycotaxon 30:253-262.


• Morton, J.B., and R.E. Koske. 1988. Scutellospora dipurpurescens, a new species in the Endogonaceae. Mycologia 80:520-524.


• Koske, R.E. and J.N. Gemma. 1990. Glomus nanolumen: a new species of Endogonaceae from Hawaii. Mycologia 81:935-938.


• Koske, R.E. and W.L. Halvorson. 1990. Scutellospora arenicola and Glomus trimurales: two new species of Endogonaceae from sand dunes. Mycologia 81:927-933.


• Dalpe, Y., R. E. Koske, and L. L. Tews. 1992. Glomus lamellosum sp. nov.: a new Glomaceae associated with beach grass. Mycotaxon 43:289-293.


• Koske, R. E., and J. N. Gemma. 1995. Scutellospora hawaiiensis (Gigasporaceae): a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from Hawaii. Mycologia 87:679-684.

• Laferriere, J., and R.E. Koske. 1981. Occurrence of VA mycorrhizas in some Rhode Island Pteriodophytes. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 76:331-332.


• Koske, R.E., and B. Tessier. 1983. A convenient, permanent slide mounting medium. Mycological Society of America Newsletter 34(2):59.


• Koske, R.E., C.F. Friese, P.D. Olexia and R.L. Hauke. 1985. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas in Equisetum. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 85:350-353.


• Tews, L.L., and R.E. Koske. 1986. Towards a sampling strategy for vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 87:353-358.


• Halvorson, W.L., and R.E. Koske. 1987. Australian fireweed, an invader of the Channel Islands, California. Madrono 34:260-268.


• St. John, T.V., and R.E. Koske. 1988. Statistical treatment of endogonaceous spore counts. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 91:117-121.


• Koske, R.E., and W.L. Halvorson. 1989. Mycorrhizal associations of selected species from San Miguel Island, Channel Islands National Park, California. Pacific Science 43:32-40.


• Koske, R.E. and J.N. Gemma. 1989. A modified procedure for staining roots to detect V-A mycorrhizas. Mycological Research 92:486-488.


• 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.


• 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.

• Koske, R.E., and C.R. Leathers. 1969. Sporophore production by species of Clavicorona in culture. Mycologia 61:999-1002.


• Koske, R.E., and P.W. Perrin. 1971. Basidiocarps, anneloconidia, and sclerotia in agar cultures of Pistillaria (Clavariadelphaceae). Canadian Journal of Botany 49:596-599.


• Koske, R.E. 1972. Two unusual tremellas from British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Botany 50:2565-2567.


• Koske, R.E., and H.F. Stich. 1973. A sensitive yeast assay system for carcinogenic nitroquinoline oxides. Mutation Research 19:265-268.


• Perrin, P.W., and R.E. Koske. 1973. Mushrooms, pp. 141-155 In: Nature West Coast, K.M. Smith, N.J. Anderson and K.I. Beamish (eds.). Discovery Press. Vancouver.


• Bandoni, R.J., and R.E. Koske. 1974. Monolayers and microbial dispersal. Science 183:1079-1081.


• Koske, R.E., and I.W. Duncan. 1974. Temperature effects on growth, sporulation and germination of some "aquatic" hyphomycetes. Canadian Journal of Botany 52:1387-1391.


• Koske, R.E. 1975. Typhula erythropus: field history, germination of basidiospores, mycelial growth, and sclerotial formation. Mycologia 66:298-318.


• Koske, R.E. 1975. Typhula erythropus: II. Sclerotial germination and basidiocarp development. Mycologia 67:128-146.


• Koske, R.E. 1975. Spiral growth of Phycomyces: some new observations in the northern and southern hemispheres. Mycologia 69:189-193.


• Carreiro, M., and R.E. Koske. 1985. Can the origin of fungal colonies on soil dilution plates be determined using nonanoic acid? Transactions of the British Mycological Society 84:344-349.


• Koske, R.E., and B. Tessier. 1986. Effects of reduced water potential on growth of some wood- and litter-decay basidiomycetes. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 86:156-158.


• Carreiro, M. M., and R. E. Koske. 1992. The effect of temperature and substratum on competition among three species of forest litter fungi. Mycological Research 96:19-24.


• Carreiro, M. M., and R. E. Koske. 1992. Room temperature isolations can bias against selection of low temperature microfungi in temperate forest soils. Mycologia 84:886-900.


• Carreiro, M. M., and R. E. Koske. 1992. The effects of temperature on decomposition and development of microfungal communities in leaf litter microcosms. Canadian Journal of Botany 70:2177-2183.

• Koske, R. E. 1985. Review of "Mycorrhizal Symbiosis". BioScience 35:662, 664.


• Koske, R.E. 1988. A review of: Physiological and Genetical Aspects of Mycorrhizae. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 90:509.


• Gemma, J.N., and R.E. Koske. 1989. Hawaiian dodder (the motherless plant): a new record for Kauai. Bulletin of the National Tropical Botanical Garden 20(1):1-4.


• Koske, R. E. 1992. Book review of Rhizosphere Dynamics. BioScience 42:203-204.