Translocation of cadmium and mercury into the fruiting bodies ofAgrocybe aegerita in a model system using agar platelets as substrate

Summary

A model system of 19 agar platelets colonized by the lignocellulolytic fungus,Agrocybe aegerita in which the platelets were exclusively connected by mycelial bridges is reported. The distribution patterns of¹⁰⁹CdCl₂ and²⁰³HgCl₂ in the platelets and translocation of the metal ions into the fruiting bodies formed at the periphery of the system have been studied at 3 different concentrations (10, 110, and 510 μg CdCl₂ and 12.3, 112.3, and 512.3 μg HgCl₂, respectively per experimental dish). At all 3 concentrations, the amount translocated was not proportional to the amount of the heavy metals applied. When expressed as a percentage, both metal ions were translocated into the fruiting bodies most efficiently at the lowest concentration. At the highest concentration, obvious toxic lesion of the system was accompanied by an increased influx of the ions into regions in the vicinity of the point of application but reduced translocation into the fruiting bodies.

The distribution patterns found at all 3 concentrations were metal specific. More mercury than cadmium was always translocated into the fruiting bodies, thus confirming our previous results (Brunnert and Zadražil 1980).

The length of incubation of the metal salts in the system had no effect on the amounts translocated into the fruiting bodies.