Liquid Nitrogen Preservation of Spawn Stocks of the Cultivated Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing.1,2

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Abstract
Stock cultures of the cultivated mushroom in the form of rye grain spawn were preserved at −160 to −196 C for periods up to a year. Mycelial growth of the cultures was about the same after storage as before. A total of 285 spawn cultures derived from 66 different vials of preserved material, without exception, grew normally on rye grain and compost. Spawn performance of two strains each of White, Intermediate, and Brown mushroom varieties was evaluated after 2, 70, and 180 days storage. Results of yield tests indicated that there was no significant difference, in quality or quantity of mushrooms produced, between any preserved spawn and its check. The effect of glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide as a protective agent during freezing was determined. Though the presence of a protective additive did not appear essential for short storage times, glycerol was added routinely in all later tests. Results to date indicate that the storage method potentially has great value for mushroom research and spawnmaking.

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