Mycelium

About: Mycelium is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 8923 publications have been published within this topic receiving 170993 citations.

Correlation of the properties of several lignocellulosic substrates to the crop performance of the shiitake mushroom Lentinula edodes

Abstract: Two selected Lentinula edodes strains (S4080 and SIEF0231) were cultivated on oak-wood sawdust (OS), wheat straw (WS) and corn-cobs (CC) substrates in order to examine the influence of those residues on mycelium growth and on basidiomata production. For both strains, mycelial growth measurements conducted in ‘race tubes’ demonstrated faster colonization of OS and WS media. Lag-phase and complete colonization periods were correlated to mycelium extension rates in the three substrates tested. Similar patterns of pH and electrical conductivity (Ec) changes were detected in all media and for all strains tested; the pH decreased steadily throughout the colonization process to reach values of 4.49–5.06; Ec increased by the end of mycelium colonization, and it presented the highest and lowest values in the WS and OS media respectively. In addition, a negative correlation was established between final salt content of the substrates and mycelium extension rates. Subjecting fully colonized substrates to a cold-shock treatment resulted in fruiting 58–65 days after inoculation in tubes; WS and CC promoted earlier sporophore initiation than OS. Monitoring CO2 emissions by strain SIEF0231 in pilot-scale cultivation on synthetic blocks, revealed higher respiration rates from OS and CC than from WS, which were further correlated with substrate colonization rates. Among residues colonized by the same strain, WS appeared to promote earliness and crop productivity (BE 54.17%) by presenting shorter cropping periods and equal yield distribution among flushes, while on OS and CC maximum yields were obtained within the first two flushes. Moreover, heavier basidiomata were produced by WS and OS substrates.

Ultrastructural Studies of the Effects of Allium sativum on Phytopathogenic Fungi in vitro

Abstract: A study was made of the effects of garlic on the development of mycelium in the following phytopathogenic fungi: Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, Pythium ultimum Trow var. ultimum, and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. and Magnus) Briosi and Cav. A suspension of micronized garlic powder, which has volatile organic compounds mainly consisting of linear chain aldehydes, allyl sulfides and disulfides, was used for the trials. Mycelial development of the fungi was strongly inhibited at the maximum concentration of the aqueous extract tested (100 ml/liter); however only the growth of P. ultimum var. ultimum was entirely blocked. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed cytomorphological alterations of the hyphae treated with garlic. R. solani and C. lindemuthianum hyphae appeared especially collapsed, while those of F. solani were less damaged, although thinner than the control hyphae. A general increase in vacuolization was also observed, with consequent reduction in the cytoplasm of the treated fungal cells. R. solani also revealed a thickening of the cell wall, whereas C. lindemuthianum revealed a singular accumulation of osmiophil bodies immediately under the cell membrane.

Hyphal growth and mycorrhiza formation by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus claroideum BEG 23 is stimulated by humic substances.

Abstract: Effects of humic substances (humic acid or fulvic soil extract) or saprophytic microorganisms (Paecilomyces lilacinus and an unidentified actinomycete) on growth of mycelium and mycorrhiza formation by Glomus claroideum BEG23 were studied in a hydroponic system. Humic substances stimulated root colonization and production of extraradical mycelium by the mycorrhizal fungus. Both humic and fulvic acids tended to decrease populations of culturable bacteria and fungi in the cultivation system, indicating a moderately antibiotic activity. The addition of saprophytic microorganisms able to use humic substances to the cultivation system further stimulated the development of the mycorrhizal fungus. However, stimulation of G. claroideum was also observed when the saprophytic microorganisms were heat-killed, suggesting that their effect was not linked to a specific action on humic substances. The results indicate that humic substances may represent a stimulatory component of the soil environment with respect to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.