Agaricus Species Research Articles

Cultivation of Mexican wild strains of Agaricus bisporus, the button mushroom, under different growth conditions in vitro and determination of their productivity

Description of the subject. Edible mushrooms cultivation is one of the most important agro-industries in Mexico, showing good impact on food production through a controlled biotechnological process. National production is supported by foreign strains although this region has a great biological diversity in wild mushrooms species with adaptatively advantages to the local environment, but these genetic resources have been few studied, especially for Agaricus species. Objectives. To unravel the potential of wild Mexican strains of Agaricus bisporus for the production of fruiting bodies on compost. Method. The mycelial growth rate of eight A. bisporus strains (two wild, six commercial) in culture media was assessed by supplementing a malt extract medium with yeast extract (YMEA), yeast extract and indulin AT (YMEA-indulin AT), and compost extract (CMEA) at three different incubation temperatures (22, 25 and 28 °C). Mycelial growth was evaluated in solid media (mm·day-1) and liquid culture (decrease in the phenol content). Four strains (two wild, two commercial) with the best in vitro results were selected to obtain carpophores on compost and evaluate their yields. Results. The highest values of mycelial growth were observed in CMEA and the greatest decrease in phenol content was recorded for YME. Biological efficiencies of the four selected strains were 50.8 to 95.5%, and yields were 7.4 to 14.1 kg·m-2 in crop cycles of 74 to 98 days. Basidiomes 5 to 15 cm in diameter predominated. Conclusions. The characteristics of the wild strains indicate their suitability for the regional market, but additional experiments are necessary to improve their productivity parameters.

The Effect of Processing on Chemical Constituents of Agaricus spp. Mushrooms

Agaricus spp. mushrooms are edible fungi of commercial and medicinal importance. Mushrooms convert nutritionally valueless substances into proteinous food with a very efficient bioconversion. Consumption of mushrooms, has increased substantially due to their delicacy, flavour, nutritional and medicinal value, being considered an excellent source of protein, which can contribute to the formulation of a balanced diet. Three species of Agaricus spp. mushrooms were used in this study: Agaricus campestris (L. ex Fr.), Agaricus bisporus (J.E. Lange) and Agaricus blazei (Murrill). This study aims to examine the effects of blanching, soaking and manufacturing processes (sun drying, oven drying and canning) on some chemical constituents of mushrooms (soluble dry matter, protein and total sugars). The analyses were performed initially at conservation and they were repeated after 6, 12 and 18 months of preservation. Since all treatments caused reduction of the dry matter content, it can be concluded that the smallest decrease during the storage period was recorded by soaked and sun dried A. blazei (1.6 g 100 g-1 FM). The maximum soluble dry matter loss was recorded at blanched and canned A. bisporus (2.8 g 100 g-1 FM). Blanching treatment of preheated (sun dried and oven dried) samples, after storage period, led the protein content to slightly decrease, between 0.4 g 100 g-1 DM and 0.8 g 100 g-1 DM. The smallest decrease of total sugars during the storage period was registered by canned, untreated A. campestris with 1.2 g 100 g-1 DM and the largest decrease was registered by blanched oven dried A. blazei with 2.9 g 100 g-1 DM.

Profile of phenolic and organic acids, antioxidant properties and ergosterol content in cultivated and wild growing species of Agaricus

Among the Agaricus genus, both cultivated and wild growing species can be found. In the study, the profile of phenolic compounds and organic acids, as well as ergosterol content of different species of edible Agaricus, was estimated together with a comparison of their ability to scavenge DPPH radicals. The investigation was carried out on seven strains of Agaricus bisporus (one brown and six white), Agaricus blazei, Agaricus arvensis, Agaricus bitorquis, Agaricus campestris and Agaricus silvaticus. Before analysis, the samples were dried. Among nine organic acids detected in Agaricus species, oxalic, lactic and succinic acids were the most abundant. The profile was very heterogeneous with A. silvaticus, A. camperstis and A. arvensis found to be the species richest in organic acids. The phenolic profile revealed only phenolic acids, among which gallic, caffeic and ferulic were detected in all species. The dominant were gallic, trans-cinnamic and chlorogenic acids. The highest sum of phenolic acids and total phenolic content was found in A. brasiliensis. Antiradical of the extracts against DPPH radical was as follows: A. bitorquis > A. arvensis > A. brasiliensis > brown A. bisporus > A. campestris > A. silvaticus > white A. bisporus. The lowest EC50 value was estimated for A. brasiliensis and A. arvensis. A correlation was confirmed between antioxidant activity and phenolic acids. Ergosterol content reached the highest level in A. silvaticus and A. campestris. The investigation emphasizes the value of Agaricus species as a source of different bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds and organic acids.

Antibacterial Properties of Some Macromycetes

Background. The constant emergence of pathogen forms and their new species multi-resistant to existing drugs, and the frequent occurrence of side effects of these drugs cause need to find new antibiotic compounds, especially anti­biotics of natural origin (from plants, fungi, mosses). Fungi are promising object of research because of pro­duction of various biologically active substances. Objective. The aim of the paper is to analyze the results of research of antibacterial properties of various macromycetes representatives and determine prospects of their practical application. Methods. The analysis and generalisation of information about objects and methods of macromycetes antibacterial activity research. Results. Much attention is paid to Basidiomycetes among macromycetes, especially species of the genus Agaricus, Ganoderma, Lentinus, Phellinus, Pleurotus, Polyporus, Trametes . In practice macromycetes are used both as fruiting bodies, biomass and culture liquid and as isolated antibiotic substances. Therefore, edible species of fungi are preferred ( Agaricus sp., Pleurotus sp. and Lentinus sp.). Conclusions. Considering the diversification of investigations dedicated to the search for antibacterial properties of fungi, obtained data on antibiotic activity are quite hard to generalize. Studying of antibacterial activity, action mechanisms is especially important and promising research direction of antibacterial compounds found in macromycetes for further implementation of antibiotics and/or components based on culture liquid, mycelium and fruiting bodies of fungi.

Multielemental analysis of fruit bodies of three cultivated commercial Agaricus species

The Agaricus genus comprises several commercially cultivated edible species, with A. bisporus being unambiguously the most important mushroom in this regard worldwide. The aim of study was to evaluate the content of 62 elements in fruit bodies of cultivated A. bisporus (brown and white strains), A. arvensis and A. subrufescens available on the Polish market during 2007–2015.Overall, 26 elements were detected in every sample, the content of 25 elements was above the concentration 0.01mgkg−1 in only some percentage of samples, while contents of Au, Be, Co, Dy, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Li, Sm, Tb and Yb were below 0.01mgkg−1. As demonstrated using heatmaps, the variability of elemental composition was the lowest in A. bisporus and the greatest in A. subrufescens.Generally, A. bisporus was also characterized by the lowest content of potentially toxic elements such as Al, As and Cd (3.0±1.2; 0.63±0.37 and 0.36±0.47mgkg−1 dry matter, respectively). All in all, the present study offers the broadest insight to date into the elemental composition of Agaricus mushrooms cultivated for human consumption, and further indicates that cultivation of A. bisporus is highly standardized compared to other species. It is worth pointing out that toxic element content in the studied mushrooms was generally considered low and safe.

Biodiversity of edible mushrooms in Vindhya forest of northern India

Various fleshy fungi are traditional food use which were collected from Vindhya forest region and other location for their morphological characterization. Present study deals with the diversity of fleshy fungi in Vindhya forest of northern India. Vindhya forest region is very common for diversity of fleshy fungal population. Extensive surveys were conducted from July 2012 to September 2012 and July 2013 to September 2013. The fleshy fungi were collected date wise as per as possible correct scientific name with citation of authors name and taxonomic position. Some other information also recorded such as collecting date and place, habit, single/ branching and growing substrates. The fleshy fungi were collected during this study included eight species of Pleurotus, two species of Volvariella, Lentinus, Lycoperdon and Agaricus and one species of Cococybe, Calocybe, Flammulina, Tricholoma, Auricularia, Hypomyces, Armillaria, Russula and Ganoderma.

Uptake and transformation of arsenic during the reproductive life stage of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris

Fruiting bodies from the Agaricus genus have been found to contain non-toxic arsenobetaine (AB) as a major compound. It is unknown whether AB is formed during the vegetative or reproductive life stages of the fungus, or by the surrounding microbial community, but AB's structural similarity to glycine betaine has led to the hypothesis that AB may be adventitiously accumulated as an osmolyte. To investigate the potential formation of AB during the reproductive life stage of Agaricus species, growth substrate and fungi were collected during the commercial growth of Agaricus bisporus and analyzed for arsenic speciation using HPLC-ICP-MS. AB was found to be the major arsenic compound in the fungus at the earliest growth stage of fruiting (the primordium). The growth substrate mainly contained arsenate (As(V)). The distribution of arsenic in an A. bisporus primordium grown on As(V) treated substrate, and in a mature Agaricus campestris fruiting body collected from arsenic contaminated mine tailings, was mapped using two dimensional XAS imaging. The primordium and stalk of the mature fruiting body were both found to be growing around pockets of substrate material containing higher As concentrations, and AB was found exclusively in the fungal tissues. In the mature A. campestris the highest proportion of AB was found in the cap, supporting the AB as an osmolyte hypothesis. The results have allowed us to pinpoint the fungus life stage at which AB formation takes place, namely reproduction, which provides a direction for further research.

The Genetic Linkage Map of the Medicinal Mushroom Agaricus subrufescens Reveals Highly Conserved Macrosynteny with the Congeneric Species Agaricus bisporus.

Comparative linkage mapping can rapidly facilitate the transfer of genetic information from model species to orphan species. This macrosynteny analysis approach has been extensively used in plant species, but few example are available in fungi, and even fewer in mushroom crop species. Among the latter, the Agaricus genus comprises the most cultivable or potentially cultivable species. Agaricus bisporus, the button mushroom, is the model for edible and cultivable mushrooms. We have developed the first genetic linkage map for the basidiomycete A. subrufescens, an emerging mushroom crop known for its therapeutic properties and potential medicinal applications. The map includes 202 markers distributed over 16 linkage groups (LG), and covers a total length of 1701 cM, with an average marker spacing of 8.2 cM. Using 96 homologous loci, we also demonstrated the high level of macrosynteny with the genome of A. bisporus. The 13 main LG of A. subrufescens were syntenic to the 13 A. bisporus chromosomes. A disrupted synteny was observed for the three remaining A. subrufescens LG. Electronic mapping of a collection of A. subrufescens expressed sequence tags on A. bisporus genome showed that the homologous loci were evenly spread, with the exception of a few local hot or cold spots of homology. Our results were discussed in the light of Agaricus species evolution process. The map provides a framework for future genetic or genomic studies of the medicinal mushroom A. subrufescens.

Inter- and intra-specific diversity in Agaricus endoxanthus and allied species reveals a new taxon, A. punjabensis

Agaricus endoxanthus is one of the few species of Agaricus, which are broadly distributed across several continents. This typically tropical species has also been introduced and reported from European tropical greenhouses. To better circumscribe this taxon and understand its distribution, we investigated its intraspecific variability. Sixteen collections resembling A. endoxanthus from various regions were selected for morphological examination and sequencing. Through a combined morphological and molecular approach, nine specimens were identified as A. endoxanthus. No major morphological differences were detected among the studied specimens, however their ITS sequence data were highly variable. The presence of numerous heteromorphisms and the allelic distribution at certain pairs of loci indicate that hybridization and recombination have likely occurred throughout the history of certain samples. Based on the genetic distance and phylogenetic analyses, the observed high genetic diversity appeared unlinked to the geographic origin of the samples, possibly due to intercontinental trade. The seven remaining collections resembling A. endoxanthus were identified as A. moelleri, A. punjabensis, a phylogenetically close relative of A. endoxanthus introduced from Pakistan, A. volvatulus and a closely related species. The detailed description of A. volvatulus is given with data obtained from the type specimen and three African collections.

Mycosphere Essay 8: A review of genus Agaricus in tropical and humid subtropical regions of Asia

The genus Agaricus includes both edible and poisonous species, with more than 400 species worldwide. This genus includes many species, which are enormously important as sources of food and medicine, such as the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and the almond mushroom (Agaricus subrufescens). This paper reviews the genus Agaricus in tropical and humid subtropical regions of Asia, including the history, characteristics, pertinent morphological and organoleptic taxonomic traits, molecular phylogeny and taxonomy advances, toxicity and edibility. This review includes Agaricus species that are known to be highly valued as edible and medicinal mushrooms, and provides a comprehensive checklist of species described from the tropical and humid subtropical regions of Asia until the end of 2015.

Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-PCR에 의한 양송이버섯(Agaricus bisporus) 계통과 단핵균주의 다형성 분석

Twenty Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used to assess genetic diversity of 64 Agaricus strains including 45 A. bisporus strains and other 19 Agaricus spp. ISSR primers, (GA)T, (AG)YC, (GA)C and (CTC) amplified PCR polymorphic bands between the Agaricus species or within A. bisporus strains. PCR polymorphic bands were inputted for UPGMA cluster analysis. The varieties, Saea, Saedo, Saejeong and Saeyeon that have recently been developed in Korea were involved in the same group with closely genetic relationship of coefficient similarity over 0.92, whereas, other Korean strains were genetically related to A. bisporus strains that were introduced from USA, Eroupe and Chinese. Furthermore, ISSR-PCR polymorphism could potentially be used to identify homokaryon isolates.

Edible species of Agaricus (Agaricaceae) from Xinjiang Province (Western China)

Agaricus is a genus of macrofungi containing species with high edible and medicinal values. A survey of Agaricus species carried out around the Ebinur Lake, in Xinjiang Province of China, in 2012, yielded 19 collections that exhibited a red discolouration when bruised. Morphological and phylogenetic comparison with species of five sections of Agaricus possessing the red discolouration trait showed that the specimens belonged to four species. Two species, A. sinodeliciosus sp. nov. and A. bitorquis in section Bivelares and A. desjardinii sp. nov. and A. padanus in section Nigrobrunnescentes, both sections being monophyletic. The two new species proposed are described and illustrated and all species are compared with similar taxa or previous records. Agaricus padanus is reported outside Italy for the first time. All species are edible and consumed by locals, and appear to be adapted to relatively dry, cold and sandy habitats. Like A. bitorquis, A. sinodeliciosus produces large, delicious semihypogeous basidiomata in such conditions; it is therefore a good potential candidate for domestication and industrial production.

Agaricus section Brunneopicti: a phylogenetic reconstruction with descriptions of four new taxa

Agaricus is a genus of saprobic basidiomycetes including species of nutritional and medicinal interest. Historically the temperate species have been grouped into eight classical sections. Recent phylogenetic analyses however, revealed that two-thirds of the tropical taxa do not cluster in these sections, but form exclusively tropical clades. Seven (TR I to TR VII) strongly supported tropical clades have been revealed and it was hypothesized that clade TR I might represent Agaricus section Brunneopicti. This section was initially characterized by the presence of punctiform squamules, the remains of the veil, on the pileus and stipe. The present morphological study and phylogenetic ML, MP and Bayesian analyses based on ITS1+2 sequences show that clade TR I corresponds to Agaricus section Brunneopicti and includes 16 taxa grouped in four strongly supported subclades and two isolated branches. The six species with punctiform squamules which initially characterized the section constitute one of these subclades. We propose the new replacement name Agaricus brunneopunctatus for the illegitimate name Agaricus brunneopictus. All 16 species are discussed, full descriptions are provided for five, among them, A. brunneosquamulosus, A. niveogranulatus, A. sordidocarpus and A. toluenolens are described as new species. We also report on certain members of section Brunneopicti traits which generally characterize species belonging to other sections. These shared characters raise the issue of their origin and complicate the systematics and the identification of the tropical Agaricus species. An artificial dichotomous key is presented for species identification. Section Brunneopicti is the first reconstructed section of tropical Agaricus. Its known geographical distribution range is strictly palaeotropical. We predict that the species richness of other somewhat forgotten or new tropical sections will also increase in coming years.

Morphological and molecular characterization of three Agaricus species from tropical Asia (Pakistan, Thailand) reveals a new group in section Xanthodermatei

The genus Agaricus is known for its medicinal and edible species but also includes toxic species that belong to section Xanthodermatei. Previous phylogenetic reconstruction for temperate species, based on sequence data of nuc rRNA gene (rDNA) internal transcribed spacers (ITS), has revealed two major groups in this section and a possible third lineage for A. pseudopratensis. Recent research in Agaricus has shown that classifications need improving with the addition of tropical taxa. In this study we add new tropical collections to section Xanthodermatei. We describe three species from collections made in Pakistan and Thailand and include them in a larger analysis using all available ITS data for section Xanthodermatei. Agaricus bisporiticus sp. nov. and A. fuscopunctatus sp. nov. are introduced based on molecular and morphological studies, whereas A. microvolvatulus is recorded for the first time in Asia. Specimens from Thailand however have a much larger pileus than the type specimens from Congo. In maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum parsimony (MP) phylogenetic analyses these three species cluster with A. pseudopratensis from the Mediterranean area and A. murinocephalus recently described from Thailand. In Agaricus section Xanthodermatei this new group is monophyletic and receives low bootstrap support whereas the two previously known groups receive strong support. Within the new group, the most closely related species share some traits, but we did not find any unifying morphological character; however the five species of the group share a unique short nucleotide sequence. Two putatively toxic species of section Xanthodermatei are now recognized in Pakistan and six in Thailand.

Lead isotopic signatures of saprotrophic macrofungi of various origins: Tracing for lead sources and possible applications in geomycology

Four saprotrophic species of macrofungi (Leucoagaricus leucothites, Agaricus bernardii,Agaricuscampestris and Agaricusxanthodermus) were collected from 4 sites in the Czech Republic and analyzed for Pb content and Pb isotopic composition. Lead concentrations were relatively high in L. leucothites (up to 130mgkg−1) collected in site heavily polluted by a lead smelter, but much lower (0.2–6.5mgkg−1) in samples of the Agaricus species collected from urban, rural and pristine areas, respectively. The 206Pb/207Pb isotopic ratio in fruit bodies had a wide range of variation, and except for the smelter-polluted site in Příbram, did not reflect that in the organomineral topsoil horizons at particular sites. In the urban area of Prague, a detailed study of Pb uptake was conducted. The 206Pb/207Pb isotopic ratio in 19samples of A.bernardii varied in a surprisingly wide range, from 1.124 to 1.175. In 5 specimens, the majority of “accumulated” Pb was undoubtedly transported from the topsoil layers (0–5cm) characterized by low 206Pb/207Pb isotopic ratios, corresponding with gasoline-derived Pb from traffic emissions. In most samples, however, lead must have been transported from lower depths. Since the mycelium of A. bernardii was not restricted to the topsoil but could be detected both visually and using specific PCR even in a depth of 30cm, such uptake appears to be possible. At suitable sites, Pb isotopes might represent an interesting tool for tracing the fungal uptake and transport of Pb in soils.

First cultivation of Agaricus flocculosipes and a novel Thai strain of A. subrufescens

Agaricus flocculosipes and A. subrufescens are edible species that belong to section Arvenses of the genus Agaricus. Agaricus subrufescens (almond mushroom) is known to produce bioactive compounds with medicinal properties, such as anti-cancer and anti-tumor activity and fruiting bodies are also edible and nutritious. Agaricus subrufescens is presently cultivated in Brazil, China, Japan, Taiwan and some European countries for use as foods and nutraceuticals. Agaricus flocculosipes is a newly described species currently known only from Thailand, Mayotte Island and China. Species of Agaricus have high potential for cultivation as many species are edible and have medicinal properties. Herein we report the first cultivation of A. flocculosipes and a Thai strain of A. subrufescens. The strains were isolated from wild sporocarps and subcultured on compost extract agar medium. Standard compost based on wheat straw and horse manure was used as the cultivation substrate. A comparative study of the cultivation of one strain of A. flocculosipes and two strains of A. subrufescens from France and Thailand was carried out with four replicates trays. The mushroom spawn was inoculated into the compost and incubated at 25 degrees C. The mycelia fully covered and grew throughout the media after incubation for two weeks. A casing layer made up of sand, peat and lime (1: 1: 1) was applied. Fruiting phase was performed at 25 degrees C and 95% humidity. The first primordia of the French and Thai strains of A. subrufescens occurred after the casing layer was added at days 12 and 24, respectively. Yields were obtained from both strains of A. subrufescens. The yield of the Thai strain (85.90 +/- 27.06 g kg(-1)) was lower than that of the French strain (178.56 +/- 68.28 g kg(-1)) in the first production cycle lasting 34 days. The first primordia of A. flocculosipes formed at day 32 after casing, and the strain produced only a few fruit bodies (1.04 +/- 0.95 g kg(-1)). Further research is needed to develop suitable agriculture wastes and regimes for growing these mushrooms and for increasing production yields so that these strains and species can be industrialized.

Edible mushrooms of the Northwestern Himalaya, India: a study of indigenous knowledge, distribution and diversity

In the present study, the diversity, edibility, indigenous knowledge and distribution of wild edible mushrooms in the Northwestern Himalaya are discussed. The information provided herein was derived from a study carried out in the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh during the period of 2000-2013. A total of 23 species of mushrooms considered as edible or used for trade were recorded. Twenty-one of these are basidiomycetes and two are ascomycetes. Certain species of Amanita, Agaricus, Astraeus, Hericium, Macrolepiota, Morchella, Pleurotus and Termitomyces are very commonly collected and consumed by the local people, whereas species of Auricularia, Cantharellus, Sparassis, Lactarius, Ramaria and Russula are less commonly collected and consumed. Cordyceps sinensis and several species of Morchella are collected specifically for trade purposes in the spring season in high elevation areas of the Himalaya. Among the edible wild mushrooms collected are a number of species involved in ectomycorrhizal symbiotic relationships with banj (oak), other broadleaf trees and several types of conifers. The results of the present study can be used to promote the domestication of those wild edible mushrooms not yet cultivated in India. These results also indicate the need to avoid over exploitation of these mushrooms and a reason to establish a ‘state germplasm bank’ to allow studies of tissue culture. The latter could serve as the basis of further scientific study into various ways of enhancing the livelihood of particular areas of northern India through increased mushroom domestication as well as assessing the possible bioactivity of mushrooms against certain human diseases.

Occurrence of double-stranded RNA species in champignon and their relation to Mushroom Virus X symptoms

Mycoviruses are known to infect fungi of different habitats and life style. Some of them, like the Mushroom Virus X (MVX) complex, cause abnormal development of fruiting bodies and severe yield losses in mushroom cultivation. Most mycoviruses have a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genome, therefore dsRNA-detection is frequently used as a first step to identify virus infection. In relation with MVX 23 dsRNAs species have been described, occurring in variable number and combination in diseased mushrooms. The aim of our experiments was to find out whether dsRNA-immunoblotting can be used to detect dsRNA in small samples of cultivated A. bisporus varieties and of wild growing Agaricus species. We found that by immunoblotting, the same dsRNA species were detected in apparently healthy cultivated champignon fruiting bodies and in MVX-infected reference samples, respectively, as by conventional CF11 chromatography, but for immunoblotting a much smaller sample size was needed. In two out of three deformed fruit bodie...

The sad story of Agaricus rhacodes/rachodes: Why would an orthographical error with limited current use become accepted through conservation?

AbstractThe spelling rachodes used by Vittadini in 1833 for a new species of Agaricus has often been considered a correct‐ able orthographical error for rhacodes. Use of the original spelling has however been occasional and was recently promoted by Vellinga and coworkers. The arguments used to support this practice, especially developed by Vellinga and Pennycook, when proposing conservation of rachodes in 2010 are refuted. It is shown that it is philologically illogical to assume an adjective rachodes could have been created, while the existing rhacodes was obviously meant. The use of the two spellings presented by Vellinga and Pennycook is shown to be incomplete. The conclusion is that rachodes should be corrected under Art. 60.1 to rhacodes, the spelling used for every other organism with that epithet, and that this correction is far more universal, including outside Europe, than the usage claimed for justifying a conservation of rachodes. The expenditure of energy caused by the Vellinga and Pennycook proposal shows that new ways to handle orthography of scientific names should be explored.

Agaricus bisporus and related Agaricus species on lignocellulose: Production of manganese peroxidase and multicopper oxidases

Biotechnological, microbiological, and genetic studies of Agaricus species other than A. bisporus, the white button mushroom, have been limited so far. To expand the knowledge in the genus Agaricus, six novel wild-type isolates of Agaricus spp. were studied on their nutritional demands for enzyme production and mycelial growth. All the selected Agaricus species produced extracellular manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase activities in semi-solid rye bran cultures. Moderate MnP activities were measured for A. bisporus, A. bernardii and A. campestris. The highest laccase activities were obtained for A. bisporus and A. campestris. On soy medium, the highest mycelial tyrosinase activity was determined for A. bernardii. For A. bisporus, addition of copper caused no increase in laccase or tyrosinase activities on soy or malt extract media. Hyphal growth rate of the isolates was studied on lignocellulose amended agar plates. Fastest growth was obtained for A. bisporus on wheat bran and birch leaf litter agar. Except for A. bernardii, hyphal growth rates correlated well with MnP and laccase production levels between Agaricus species. Molecular taxonomy of the novel Agaricus spp. positioned them to distinct phylogenetic clusters with species-level identity. In conclusion, our data point to the importance of both MnP and multicopper enzymes in Agaricus spp. while growing on lignocelluloses.