Analysis of the biological efficiency and quality factors of mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus (Fr.) P.Kumm as a model of effective cultivation of lignicolous fungi with high functional value

Purpose. Morphological and organoleptic evaluation of oyster mushroom strains for selection of highly productive cultivars assortment with valuable consumer properties for winter and summer cultivation and suitability for sale in fresh or processed form were investigated.Methods. The scheme of the experiment included six strains of oyster mushrooms belonging to two species: Pleurotus ostreatus (5 strains: 2301, Z, 2316, 2456, 431) and P. pulmonarius (2314). Laboratory, laboratory-industrial and statistical methods are used.Results. The dynamics of agrochemical parameters of substrates obtained by the method of aerobic fermentation in the high layer proved their optimality according to the main criteria and compliance to regulatory documentation. The biological efficiency of the strains was in the range of 40–78.9%. The highest weight of clusters was found in the “summer” strain 431 (430.7 g). The highest weight of the fruiting body was determined for the strain 2301 (15.2 g), the lowest – for the 2456 (3.3 g).Conclusions. The values of biological efficiency of strains was determined. The highest average values for the first flush of fruiting had strains 2316 (78.9%) from the “winter” group (A) and 431 (78.4%) from the “summer” group (B). According to the results of statistical analysis, significant differences were revealed between the studied strains in the main morphological indicators of clusters. It was found that the mass of clusters of «winter» cultivars is much less dependent on the strain type (220.8–273.4 g) than that of «summer» cultivars (83.4–430.7 g). The index of the asymmetry coefficient of the cluster, which can be useful for calculating the required container sizes was proposed. It was determined that the morphological features of fruiting bodies had significant differences in all studied parameters. In particular, the A group strains differed in size and weight. It was proposed the index of weight loss of the crop coefficient, which shows the ratio between the cap and stipe of the fruiting body and make it possible to predict the amount of mushroom raw material that will be sold in the form of caps, and the amount of raw material that can be processed into minced mushroom, powder and others. The best coefficient was obtained for the fruiting bodies of strain 2314 (0.87), and the worst – for 2456 (0.59), which, accordingly, is not recommended for sale by individual fruiting bodies. It was found that the fruiting bodies of high-yielding strains 2316 and 431 had a number of organoleptic defects.

Distoseptispora hydei sp. nov. (Distoseptisporaceae), a novel lignicolous fungus on decaying bamboo in Thailand

In this paper, we described and illustrated a new species of lignicolous fungi, Distoseptispora hydei, found on decaying bamboo in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. According to the phylogenetic results from combined sequence data (LSU, ITS and RPB2), the new species is distinct from other Distoseptispora species. Distoseptispora hydei is characterized by obpyriform to fusiform conidia with 7–9 distosepta and a hyaline, gelatinous sheath around the tip. Phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons with other species of Distoseptispora are provided in this study.

Investigations of mature Scots pine stands in wind-throw areas in Norway spruce forests in Western Rhodopes

We investigated the current health condition (defoliation), state of natural regeneration, and mycoflora and phytopathogen-caused attacks in Scots pine forests (Pinus sylvestris L.) planted in the 1960s in areas affected by wind disturbances in the West Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. Some damage types (resin outflow and anthropogenic damage) were present to a low extent in the research plots (S – Selishte and PK – Pobit Kamak). Some were missing completely (damage by deer and other animals, the presence of lignicolous fungi and abiotic damage). The most important results of this study were the following: i) the occurrence of the bark beetle pest Tomicus minor Hartig (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) was recorded on average in 4.6 (S) and 2.3 (PK) of fallen shoots under the tree crown within 1 m diameter around the stem; ii) significant damage to tree crowns due to the loss of assimilation organs in Scots pine trees (28% – S and 39% – PK, respectively) was several times higher than that recorded in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) (10%); iii) tree species composition resulting from natural regeneration showed 95–100% proportion of Norway spruce despite the predominance of Scots pine in the maternal stand. These observations might provide evidence of unsuitable environmental conditions in the studied localities for pine forests on the southern range of the natural P. sylvestris occurrence. Forest management in similar ecological and climatic conditions should aim at significant diversification of the forest stand structure by utilizing tree species suitable for the given ecosystems.

Macrofungi of Aceri-Tilietum and Tilio-Carpinetum in the „Dolina Rzeki Brdy” nature reserve in the Bory Tucholskie (NW Poland)

Mycocoenological studies on macrofungi in the <i>Tilio-Carpinetum</i> and <i>Aceri-Tilietum</i> plant associations were carried out in 4 permanent plots (1000 m² each) in the southern part of the "Dolina Rzeki Brdy" nature reserve. In 1994-1995, the total number of 279 species, mostly <i>Basidiomycotina</i>, were recorded. Mycological investigations of <i>Aceri-Tilietum</i> were conducted for the first time. The share of biological groups: terricolous, litter-inhabiting and lignicolous fungi as well as the diagnostic role of macromycetes in the investigated phytocoenoses, arelysed in the paper.