Production of high temperature-resistant strains of Agaricus bitorquis

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.