IMPROVED METHOD FOR OBTAINING VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF MYCORRHIZAL AND OTHER SLOW GROWING FUNGI

Abstract

A procedure has been developed for increasing the rate and amount of vegetative growth of mycorrhizal and other slow-growing fungi which do not normally fragment or sporulate. Species of Boletus, Amanita, and Cenococcum were grown in prescription bottles, lying on their sides, containing glass beads. The glass beads provided a surface for growth of the fungi and a means for fragmenting the hyphae to obtain new growing points. Thus these fungi can be grown and their mycelium fragmented without contamination.