Collection and characterization of wild Basidiomycetes from the district Ludhiana (Punjab)

Abstract

Survey of field and forest area of district Ludhiana was conducted to explore diversity of wild mushrooms for their collection, identification and characterization. Five mushrooms Chlorophyllum molybdites, Agaricus sp., Agaricus silvicola-a, Agaricus silvicola-b and Agaricus arvensis were collected from the district Ludhiana which were accessioned as DMRO-568, DMRO-569, DMRO-570, DMRO-571, DMRO-572, respectively at Directorate of Mushroom Research, Chambaghat, Solan (India). Identification was made on the basis of mushroom morphology and microscopic characteristics. Linear growth on Complete Yeast extract Medium agar up to 10 days of incubation showed maximum growth for culture Agaricus arvensis (DMRO-572) as 8.00mm/d on 4 th day while biomass was the maximum by Chlorophyllum molybdites (DMRO-568) as 2.48g/L/d. Maximum exoglucanase activity was seen in Agaricus silvicola-a (DMRO-570) (1.468 U/mg proteins) and endoglucanase activity in Agaricus silvicola-b (DMRO-571) (1.622 U/mg proteins). Xylanase activity was maximum for Agaricus silvicola (DMRO-570) (0.779 U/mg proteins). Laccase activity was observed maximum in Agaricus sp. (DMRO-569) and Agaricus arvensis (DMRO-572) (5.25 U/mg proteins). Spawn production of these cultures on wheat grains showed better growth by Agaricus arvensis (DMRO-572) as 4.25mm/d, 3.69mm/d and 5.66mm/d on 8 th , 16 th and 24 th day, respectively. Compost was the preferred substrate for Chlorophyllum molybdites (DMRO-568) while wheat straw and paddy straw for Agaricus arvensis (DMRO-572). Four different identified species related to well known genus Agarics could be exploited for their commercial potential, but Chlorophyllum molybdites was inedible.