Physiological Requirements for Conservation and Maintenance of Wild Mushroom Specimens (Schizophyllum commune and Lentinula edodes) Collected from North East, India

Abstract

The influence of culture media, temperature and pH levels on the mycelial growth of two wild specimens of Schizophyllum commune and Lentinula edodes were investigated in a laboratory experiment during 2015. The results of the experiment indicated that, potato dextrose agar medium with a pH range of 5.0-7.0 at a temperature of 30°C and malt extract medium with apH range of 4.5-6.5 at a temperature of 25°C were found optimum for the mycelial growth of S. commune and L. edodes, respectively. The sharp decline in the pH values of the liquid broth media under post mycelial growth conditions of L. edodes clearly indicated the prefer ability of the media or substrates with lower pH. Study of lethal temperatures revealed the tropical nature of the wild strain of S. commune, where there was revival of the growth even after the exposure period of seven days at 45°C. The results will be helpful for the maintenance of these cultures in pure, stable and viable conditions.