Production of high temperature-resistant strains of <i>Agaricus bitorquis</i>

Abstract

In this study, the culture mushroom Agaricus bitorquis (Quel.) Sacc. was examined for growth of mycelia and fructifications under high temperature. The spores taken from the mushrooms that were collected from nature were grouped as A, B, C, D and E. These spores were inoculated into malt extract agar and incubated at 30ºC and primer mycelium was produced. The mycelium discus taken from primer mycelium in 8 mm diameter were inoculated into the center of malt extract agar and incubated at 30ºC, 32ºC, 34ºC, 36ºC, and 38ºC, separately. During the incubation period the growth of the mycelia were measured. The best mycelia growth for all groups was seen at 30ºC. At 36ºC, the E group mycelia and at 38ºC other group’s mycelia did not grow. These temperatures were determined as thermal lethal point for the groups. From all the mycelia produced spawn was prepared and inoculated into compost and incubated at 30ºC and 32ºC. The harvested mushrooms were inspected morphologically.

Key words: Agaricus bitorquis, mycelial growth, high temperature.