Myco-Habitation of Calocybeindica (P&C) Milky Mushroom

Abstract

The big, white Indian edible mushroom, Calocybeindica (P&C which is ideally suited to cultivation at monsoon months. It is a remarkable source of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine and ascorbic acid. During the mushroom survey, wild isolates were collected under the trees from different geographical regions in the state, growing in different soil conditions, including humicolous (humus). This species were mostly found near the coconut tree roots or mayflower root. Hence, it was decided that the presence of chemical compounds in the host trees would be analysed. While analysing different chemical compounds in the host tree roots, we found melezitose (trehalose, a non-reducing tri-saccharide sugar metabolite) in the samples. To further understand the symbiotic relationship between C. indica and the trees concerned, we evaluated the influence of melezitose on the growth of C. indica. The results revealed that a melezitose-infused medium can produce a maximum radial growth of 90 mm within a short period of about six days in the C. indica strain, CBE-TNAU-1523, compared to the control samples that take about twelve days. This could have commercial implications, reducing the time taken to produce commercially grown mushrooms, greatly benefiting its growers. Further observations indicated in-vitro stroma formation and fruiting initiation beyond melezitose concentrations of 100 and 200 ppm. Treatment with melezitose offers better yields from mushroom beds than those from the control samples.  The experimental results indicate that the presence of sugar components in the tree roots could attract milky mushroom to grow under the trees, providing both nutrients and the right environmental conditions necessary.