The influence of subzero temperatures on mycelial growth and fruit bodies vitality of some higher xylotrophic basidiomycetes

The low temperatures (-12, -37 degreesC) influence on the cultures of Pleur otus ostreatus (Fr.) P. Kumm. and P. citrinopileatus Singer was studied. It was found that these temperatures are not lethal for the mycelium for the cultures chosen, although their fruit bodies perished at -6 degreesC. Sever al cultures of P. ostreatus demonstrated increase in daily growth and in gr owth coefficient due to freezing during the few days after return to contro l conditions, other cultures of the species showed only a slight change of growth parameters. P. citrinopileatus culture showed considerably lower par ameters upon cold treatment. The experimental data confirm the importance o f temperature factor for fungi distribution.