Studies on Improved Methods of Mushroom Germplasm Conservation

To detennine best methodes) of mushroom gennplasm conservation, 11 edible mushroom strains belonging to six genera viz., Agaricus, Pleurotus, Auricularia, Lentinula, Morchella and Volvariella were preserved using different short-, medium- and long tenn storage methods. Of short term preservation methods the longest survival of all the test strains was recorded in the treatment wherein the test strains were preserved on wheat grain spawn in the test tubes at 4°C. Out of 12 medium-term storage methods, higher recoveries are being made from four treatments wherein test strains were preserved in either liquid paraffin at room temperature or 4°C or in glycerol (20%) at room temperature or in the form of mycelial disc or spawn multiplied on wheat grains. However, Lentinula edodes could not survive in liquid paraffin at room temperature. Morechella esculenta could survive for 1 year and 4 months as mycelial disc in liquid paraffin at 4°C and in glycerol (20%) at room temperature. Volvariella volcacoa is being recovered only from one treatment wherein the fungus was preserved as mycelial disc in liquid paraffin at room temperature. In long-tenn liquid nitrogen preservation methods higher recoveries from liquid nitrogen preservation are being made for more than 20 months.