Identification of bacteria in mushroom compost using ribosomal RNA sequence

Microorganisms in mushroom substrate play important roles in commercial mus hroom production. We have initiated the characterization of microorganisms in Phase II compost using sequences of genes encoding small subunit ribosom al RNA (rDNA). A specific area of rDNA was amplified from individually cult ured organisms as well as from total DNA extracted from the compost sample by polymerase chain reaction. Thirteen rDNA fragments sequenced in this stu dy corresponded to 22 different strains representing three divisions of bac teria. All of these strains, except Bacillus licheniformis, have not previo usly been identified through rDNA sequencing, suggesting that mushroom comp ost contains many novel organisms.