From black spots on winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes), fluorescent bacteria were repeatedly isolated during surveys at places of production in the years 2009-2010 in Korea. From these lesions three bacterial strains (designated CHM13, CHM16, CHM17) were isolated which, following inoculation of mushroom stipes and caps, yielded characteristic black spots and sunken lesions, which developed into a severe black rot. Results of Gram stain and biochemical tests preliminarily identified these isolates as Pseudomonas tolaasii. This was confirmed by pathogenicity to winter mushroom, physiological and biochemical properties, analysis of the 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences, fatty acids profile, specific and sensitive PCR assays and, lipopeptide detection. This is the first report of the isolation of Pseudomonas tolaasii from cultivated winter mushroom in Korea.

The internal stipe necrosis of cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) is caused by the bacterium Ewingella americana, a species of the Enterobacteriaceae. Recently, Ewingella americana was isolated from cultivated white button mushrooms in Korea evidencing symptoms of internal stipe browning. Its symptoms are visible only at harvest, and appear as a variable browning reaction in the center of the stipes. From these lesions, we isolated one bacterial strain (designated CH4). Inoculation of the bacterial isolate into mushroom sporocarps yielded the characteristic browning symptoms that were distinguishable from those of the bacterial soft rot that is well known to mushroom growers. The results of Gram stain, flagellal staining, and biochemical tests identified these isolates as E. americana. This was verified by pathogenicity, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and the results of an analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and the fatty acids profile. This is the first report of the isolation of E. americana from cultivated white button mushrooms in Korea.

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Two phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Pantoea rodasii PSB-11and Enterobacter aerogenes PSB-12, were isolated from button mushroom compost and employed to assess their synergistic effect in liquid medium and on growth of green gram plants by single and co-inoculation of the strains. Co-inoculation of two strains was found to release the highest content of soluble phosphorus (521 µg ml -1 ) into the medium, followed by single inoculation of Pantoea strain (485 µg ml) and Enterobacter strain (470 µg ml -1 ). However, there was no significant difference between single inoculation of bacterial strain and co-inoculation of two bacterial strains in terms of phosphorous release. The highest pH reduction, organic acid production and glucose consumption was observed in the E. aerogenes PSB-12 single inoculated culture medium rather than those of co-inoculation. According to the plant growth promotion bioassay, co-inoculated mung bean seedlings recorded 10.6% and 10.7% higher shoot and root growth respectively compared to the control. Therefore, in concluding, coinoculation of the strains P. rodasii and E. aerogenes displayed better performance in stimulating plant growth than inoculation of each strain alone. However, being short assessment period of the present study, we recommend in engaging further works under field conditions in order to test the suitability of the strains to be used as bio-inoculants.

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