Influence of copper, manganese and pH on the growth and several enzyme activities in hycorrhizal fungus Amanita nuscaria

The effects of various concentrations of copper, manganese and pH on the growth and several enzyme activities of sycorrhizal fungus Amanita muscaria were investigated. Cu (5–25 mg l−1) and lower pH (3.0–4.0) strongly inhibited the mycelial growth (dry weight), however, the protein content was not affected evidently. Some enzyme activities were lower as the Cu and Mn concentrations were higher and other enzymes had the maximum values at the specified concentration. The activities of the following enzymes were significantly correlated with the fungal growth after the treatment with Cu: G6PDH, MTLDH and trehalase, and with Mn: G6PDH, MTLDH and α-mannosidase respectively. Measurement of these enzyme activities might provide a useful biochemical criterion for the evaluation of the fungitoxicity of soil contaminated by copper or manganese.