Observations on the Spored-Basidium in the Cultivated Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

Abstract

The count of sterigma on the basidium may be used as a criterion to distinguish the wild (Agaricus campestris) and cultivated (A. bisporus) mushroom. The wild mushroom generally possesses four sterigmata and each sterigma bears one basidiospore while the cultivated mushroom has only two sterigmata each of which bears one basidiospore. However, Pelham (1965) reported that each basidium could bear 2, 3, and 4 sterigmata. In view of the complicated morphological characteristics of the mushroom, observations were made on the spored-basidium for a better understanding of the morphology of the cultivated mushroom, and it can also be used for reference in breeding research.