Effect of some essential oils on mycelium growth and primordia formation of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) ImbachWpływ wybranych olejków eterycznych na wzrost grzybni i wiązanie owocników pieczarki Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach

Summary The aim of the studies was to determine the effect of three essential oils, i.e. tea tree, hemp and sage oils on mycelium growth and the capability of primordia formation of the Amycel 2600 strain of Agaricus bisporus. The mycelium growth of A. bisporus was tested on wheat agar medium. The tested essential oils were added to the medium at the concentration of 0.05–0.6%. The assessment of the primordia formation was carried out in glass cylinders of 600 cm 3 volume. The essential oils were introduced into casing soil at the concentration of 0.1–0.8%. It was found that the tested essential oils influenced the mycelium growth of A. bipsorus. Concentrations of tested oils of 0.05 and 0.1% did not cause a significant reduction in mycelial growth rate. The concentration of essential oils above 0.2% in the medium resulted in a significant reduction in mycelial growth rate, and at the highest concentrations of essential oils the mycelium of A. bisporus showed no growth. The concentration of essential oils tested had a significant impact on the primordia formation. It was found that the higher was the concentration of oils studied, the stronger was the effect of primordia formation inhibiting. The highest concentrations of the used oils resulted in complete inhibition of primordia formation.