MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON DUAL AND TRIPLE CULTURE OF GRIFOLA UMBELLATA, AN UNNAMED COMPANION FUNGUS AND ARMILLARIELLA MELLEA

Morphological characteristics of Grifola umbellata, an unnamed companion fungus and Armillariella mellea in dual and triple culture were studied. When G. umbellata and the companion fungus grew together, a compact antagonism line was formed after their hyphae contacted, and hyphal strands emerged in G. umbellata. When G. umbellata and A. mellea grew together, G. umbellata could protect itself from further invasion of A. mellea, and the growth of both hyphae and rhizomorphs stopped. When A. mellea and the companion fungus grew together in dual culture, the rhizomorph of A. mellea could penetrate the whole colony of the companion fungus and formed many branches under the colony. When G. umbellata, the companion fungus and A. mellea grew together, the defensive capability of G. umbellata against the companion fungus decreased, while the endurance of the companion fungus to A. mellea increased. The rhizomorphoid branches of A. mellea all grew toward the side of the companion fungus. The antagonism line did not form between G. umbellata and the companion fungus, but a white mingled zone of hyphae could be seen. Invasive site could be formed by both G. umbellata and the companion fungus on the rind of A. mellea rhizomorph.