Population density of some species of basidiomycetes under conditions of radioactive contamination and pathogen damage in forest ecosystems

Abstract

The radiologically, ecologically and biologically safe mushroom raw materials are necessary to create some environmentally friendly bioorganic stimulators of plant growth and development and many other products. Therefore, we researched the population density of Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst., Agaricus bisporus (J.E.Lange) Imbach, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P.Kumm, Armillariella mellea (Vah1. ex Fr.) Karst., whitch are often used to create plant growth stimulants, in their natural habitat under conditions of radioactive contamination and pathogen damage. The study was conducted in six biogeocenoses: Shatsk National Natural Park (Volyn Oblast, Ukraine), Regional Landscape Park «Islands of Izmail» (Odessa Oblast, Ukraine), around the urban-type settlement of Kornyn (Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine), around the village of Korolivka (Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine), around the village of Lysivka (Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine), around the city of Vyshhorod (Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine). Pathogens were identified by standard mycological, bacteriological and virological methods. Radiocesium contamination density of soil, as a parameter of radioactive contamination, was determined by spectrophotometric method. The highest population density of Ganoderma lucidum was in Regional Landscape Park «Islands of Izmail». In this biogeocenosis, G. lucidum was almost not affected by pathogens, and radiocesium contamination density of soil was 18.5 kBq/m2. Agaricus bisporus and Armillariella mellea grew in biotopes with high radiocesium contamination density of soil. For example, in forest ecosystems around the city of Vyshhorod, where the average radiocesium contamination density of soil was 111.0 kBq/m2, population density of A. mellea was 0,39 fruit bodies per m2. At the same time, 15% of A. mellea in this biogeocenosis were affected by various pathogens. Thus, the use of wild mushrooms as raw materials should be preceded by testing for biological and radiological contamination.