Basidiocarp and mycelium morphology of Ganoderma lucidum Karst. Strains isolated in Hungary.

Morphological, anatomical and cultural characteristics of 14 Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst strains isolated in Hungary have been investigated. Macroscopically the basidiocarps of the Hungarian strains are absolutely identical with those of described previously about the Ganoderma lucidum species-complex. Microscopic features of the fruitbodies and basidiospores showed some differences from the typical G. lucidum species. Pilocystidia, forming a homogeneous layer on the surface of the pileus, have smooth heads without protrusions and stalks not ramifying. Cell wall pillar density and width of the basidiospores also differ from that of regarded to be characteristic to G. lucidum. Although according to several authors chlamydospore formation is a characteristic feature of G. lucidum it has not been observed in mycelial cultures of the Hungarian strains. Antagonistic reactions between the Hungarian and Far Eastern G. lucidum isolates were mostly similar to the interspecific reactions between the two species G. lucidum and G. applanatum and corresponded only in a few cases to the interactions within one species. Our results suggest that the Hungarian strains significantly differ from the Far Eastern strains. To determine the taxonomic degree of this divergence genetical examinations should be carried out.