Effects of light irradiation on spore germination, spawn run, protein content and fruiting body formation in Pleurotus florida Singer

Abstract

In this study, the effects of cool and warm white fluorescent light and combination of these lights on the spawn run, fruiting body formation, dry weight and fresh weight of fruit bodies, spore germination and protein content in Pleurotus florida Singer were examined. For investigating fruiting body formation, polyethylene bags were employed to contain the sterilized wheat straw substrate and been inoculated with 30 g of spawn. On the third day after spawn inoculation, all cultures were divided into six sections and irradiated with warm white and cool white fluorescent lamps and combination of these two for four and eight hours, separately. Control group was kept in darkness throughout the experimental period. To investigation of irradiation on spore germination, spores were firstly separated and germinated by using sucrose gradient and water agar medium, respectively. Results showed that in the control group, pin heads formed faster than other groups. Meanwhile, the number of germinated spores was the highest. On the other hand, under warm light fluorescent, the highest wet weight of fruiting body was observed. Protein content increased after 4-hour warm-white-light treatment. The dry weight of fruiting bodies was increased under irradiated treatments.