Effect of heavy metals on the growth of selected wood-rotting basidiomycetes

Mercury, cadmium and cobalt were found to be the most toxic heavy metals, inducing strong growth inhibition of the tested basidiomycetes. The studied species differed significantly in their sensitivity to cadmium. The most sensitive fungus,Inonotus obliquus, did not grow at Cd concentrations higher than 0.1 mmol/L, whereasStereum hirsutum grew at more than 2 mmol Cd/L. Changes in mycelial morphology were observed inS. hirsutum andTrametes versicolor cultivated in the presence of cadmium and mercury. The toxicity of heavy metals was lower in rich, complex media.