Book reviews

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, important developments in biotechnology and mushroom production made a new, revised version necessary. As it is written for the mushroom industry, it emphasizes on nutritional, medical, and cultivating aspects of edible and medicinal fungi. A short introduction deals with a definition of fungi and the world of fungi, including edible and poisonous species, and the relation between fungi and man. Two chapters deal with edible and medicinal fungi respectively. And an overview is given of the biology of fungi. Chapters 5-11 deal with the various aspects of cultivation of fungi: substrate and mycelial growth, sexuality and genetics, mushroom formation in culture and the effects of genetic factors and breeding, pests, culture preservation and world production of edible mushrooms. Chapters 12-21 deal with the various important cultivated mushrooms, such as Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes, Volvariella, Pleurotus, Tremella, and others. The final chapter gives an overview of technology and mushrooms. As such it forms a comprehensive and up-to-date source of information for all interested in edible and medicinal mushrooms and their cultivation.