Microscopic, cultural studies and yield of improved strains of Calocybe indica and Macrocybe gigantea

Calocybe indica and Macrocybe gigantea is a tropical and subtropical mushroom. It is popularly known as milky mushroom and white summer mushroom. Microscopic observations revealed that the basidiospore shape of C. indica and M. gigantea was short ellipsoid. The size of the basidiospores was in the range from 5-7.5 X 3-4.5 µm. Eight strains of C. indica were investigated. Assessment of different carbon sources for radial mycelial growth revealed that maltose was superior among all the carbon sources for C. indica. Among the nitrogen sources for radial mycelial growth revealed that magnesium nitrate was superior with radial growth. Six strains of M. gigantea were investigated. Assessment of different carbon sources for radial mycelial growth revealed that sucrose was superior among all the carbon sources for M. gigantea. Among the nitrogen sources for radial mycelial growth revealed that sodium nitrate (control) was superior with radial growth. The highest B.E. was observed in strain CI-23105. The highest B.E. was observed in strain MG-2304.