American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 3 (6): 861-864, 2008 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2008 Corresponding Author: Fatih Kalyoncu, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey 861 Mycelial Growth Rate of Some Morels (Morchella spp.) In Four Different Microbiological Media Erbil Kalm and Fatih Kalyoncu 1 Ege University, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Izmir, Turkey 1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey 2 Abstract: In this study, growth rates of mycelium of six wild Morchella species (M. costata, M. esculenta, M. esculenta var. rigida, M. esculenta var. rotunda, M. intermedia and M. pseudoumbrina) obtained from different regions of West Anatolia were investigated in different culture medium. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Hagem medium (HM), Minimal medium (MO) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA) were used as microbiological media. Mycelial growth rate was measured in different periods. Mycelial growth rates of all isolates were decreased in MM and HM media. PDA and MEA are suitable media for mycelial growth of Morchella spp in this study. Key words: Morels Mycelial growth Morchella spp. INTRODUCTION protecting themselves from the stress [8, 9]. Many About 14.000 species of mushrooms are now known physiological properties in vitro and complex genotyping in the world. Recently, macrofungi have become attractive factors of Morchella spp. [10, 11, 12]. as functional foods and a source of physiologically According to previous experiments, mycelial beneficial medicine. Among the most desirable edible wild growth is strongly influenced by in vitro conditions, macrofungi, morels are well-known around the world [1, 2]. such as incubation time, temperature, pH, inoculum Many researches investigated into growing them in both size, etc. [13]. We strongly believe that it is critical the liquid media and on solid substrates [3, 4]. Despite to search for the key influencing factors from the many attempts, the commercially cultivation of morels has mentioned above for further study. The present not been exactly possible up to now. work focuses on determination of mycelial growth rate Nowadays morels are very important non-wood of six morels (M. costata, M. esculenta, M. esculenta forest product for peasant who is living the nearby forest var. rigida, M. esculenta var. rotunda, M. intermedia area. Morchella spp, which are appear from the late April and M. pseudoumbrina) in Petri plate containing four until the end of May are widely distributed in the different microbiological media, Potato Dextrose Agar, temperate zones of the world. In general, ascocarps of Hagem medium, minimal medium and Malt Extract morel species occur in a variety of habitats, including Agar. riverbanks, mountain slopes, pastures, burned-out forests and near plants that have been injured. They emerge in MATERIALS AND METHODS sand, moist soil with abundant organic matter and in mud [5]. Fungal Material: Fruit bodies were collected from Cultures on agar and in agitated liquid media are different regions of West Anatolia, Turkey in spring 2006 entirely artificial systems which are excellent models and and 2007. The morphological and ecological are indispensable for research and other purposes. characteristics of these macrofungi were recorded and Microbiological medium used for mycelial growth is often photographed in their natural habitats and then brought highly specific for a given macrofungi [6, 7]. It has been to the laboratory. Their spore prints were taken and reported that several mechanisms in fungi protected spores were photographed. Dried specimens were fungal cells against several stress factors. Healthy and numbered and placed in locked bags. All ascocarps of active mycelial growth in used medium play crucial role for morels were deposited in the Fungarium of Mugla researches reported on cultural characteristics,