Some Effects of Ditylenchus Myceliophagus and Aphelenchoides Composticola On the Growth On Agar Plates of the Cultivated Mushroom, Agaricus Bisporus

Abstract

Mycelium of Agaricus bisporus grew more rapidly on malt peptone agar at 25° C than at either 15°, 20° or 30° C. Similarly at 25° C, Aphelenchoides composticola reproduced more rapidly than at either 15°, 20° or 30° C. The rate at which mycelium was destroyed was similar for A. composticola and Ditylenchus mycellophagus but varied with the inoculum level of the nematode. About 1,000 A. composticola or 4,000 D. myceliophagus per plate was critical, and when these levels were exceeded rapid degeneration of the mycelium occurred. Regardless of the inoculum level, the number of A. composticola present in cultures after 28 days was the same and this also applied to cultures inoculated with D. myceliophagus. About five times as many D. myceliophagus as A. composticola were present on plates after 28 days. This difference is probably accounted for by differences in the number of eggs produced by the females.