EFFECT OF HEAVY-METALS ON THE GROWTH OF SELECTED WOOD-ROTTING BASIDIOMYCETES

Mercury, cadmium and cobalt were found to be the most toxic heavy meta ls, inducing strong growth inhibition of the tested basidiomycetes. Th e studied species differed significantly in their sensitivity to cadmi um. The most sensitive fungus, Inonotus Obliquus, did not grow at Cd c oncentrations higher than 0.1 mmol/L, whereas Stereum hirsutum grew at more than 2 mmol Cd/L. Changes in mycelial morphology were observed i n S. hirsutum and Trametes versicolor cultivated in the presence of ca dmium and mercury. The toxicity of heavy metals was lower in rich, com plex media.