ABSTRACT
Rapid and complete seed germination results in the rapid initial growth of plants. In this study, aqueous extracts (boiling, maceration + filtration, and maceration + autoclave) of Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus eryngii were used to improve seed germination of three crops (maize, clover, and alfalfa). The results revealed that boiled water extractions of G. lucidum positively affected seed germination of clover and alfalfa. Moreover, P. eryngii boiling extract could increase the vigor index II in alfalfa. The results achieved are comparable with those gained by phytohormones and in some cases were even better. From these findings, it can be concluded that the existing metabolites in aqueous extracts of G. lucidum and P. eryngii can be used to enhance seed germination effectively and even increase the leaf area of crop plants.
Subject(s)
Agaricales , Pleurotus , Reishi , Germination , Seedlings , Seeds , WaterABSTRACT
Mycelial growth rate is a distinguishing quality that demonstrates continuous variation in different isolates collected from various hosts and locations. The objectives of this research were (1) to reinvestigate the previous identification of Iranian species, and (2) to recognize the best native isolate(s) for cultivation of different Ganoderma species. Of 78 samples collected from different hosts and sites, only 43 mycelia could be purified and examined for further study. Growth rate (GR; Δd/Δt) and growth coefficient (GC; dgh/t) were analyzed by growing isolate culture on 2% malt-extract agar medium (pH 5.5) incubated at 25°C. Macro- and micromorphological studies on mycelia and fruiting bodies such as basidiospore and cutis microcharacters as well as fruiting body quality were used for precise identification. Results revealed that samples belonged to 4 species: G. lucidum, G. applanatum, G. resinaceum, and G. australe. Among all samples, the isolate morphologically identified as G. applanatum showed the best GR (12 mm/day) and good GC (128 mm/day), followed by the 2 other isolates identified as G. resinaceum (GRs and GCs of 11 and 55 mm/day and 10.9 and 43.6 mm/day, respectively).
