Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the requirements including culture medium, temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources for the best mycelium growth of Lactarius pyrogalus and Lactarius controversus. Different inoculum media containing peat and peat : vermiculite mixtures (1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 v:v) were also investigated for vegetative inoculum production. In terms of mycelium growth rate and mycelial characteristics, the most suitable culture media were potato dextrose agar and biotin aneurin folic acid agar for L. pyrogalus and L. controversus. Although L. pyrogalus had higher mycelium growth rate than L. controversus, they showed similar trend at different temperature. 25°C and 4.5 to 6.0 pH values gave the best results for mycelial growth of these mushrooms. Mannitol, glucose, dextrose and maltose were the most suitable carbon sources for L. pyrogalus, while mannitol, and lactose were the best carbon sources for L. controversusand significantly enhanced mycelial growth. Malt extract, peptone, yeast extract and Ca(NO₃)₂ were found to be the most suitable nitrogen sources for both Lactarius species, except for peptone in L. controversus. The lowest mycelial growth was determined in xylose among carbon sources, and NH₄NO₃ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ among nitrogen sources for both Lactarius species. Peat : vermiculite mixtures in the rate of 1:4 and peat were the most suitable vegetative inoculum medium for L. pyrogalus and L. controversus, respectively, when the mycelium growth rate and days to complete mycelium running took into consideration.
 
Key words: Lactarius pyrogalus, Lactarius controversus, growth condition, mycelial growth.