Growth and biomass studies in ectomycorrhizal fungus- Pisolithus albus (Cook and Massee) Priest

Abstract

The pure mycelial culture of ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes Pisolithus albus (Cook & Massee) Priest was obtained from context tissue culture of freshly harvested fruit bodies associated with the host Acacia auriculifbrmis A. Cunn. The culture was grown using different compositions of modified MNM medium aimed to select the best composition favouring rapid growth and higher mycelial biomass production. Pelletized colonies were successfully obtained on the selected modified medium under liquid shaken conditions. The pellets thus obtained were tested for viability and vigour on solid MMN medium successfully. Somatic compatibility tests by pairing the wild type strain and the pellet-derived strains established positive identity. Experiments carried out to obtain higher biomass yield on same medium indicated maximum yield after 21 days.