Development of novel rapid-growing and delicious Pleurotus djamor strains through hybridization.

The development of fast-growing/short cropping period oyster mushroom (Pleurotus species) having good taste is one of the important needs of mushroom growers. Pleurotus djamor strain woody1, collected recently from the dead wood, has a short cropping period of 30 days but a moderately acceptable taste. One of the cultivated Pleurotus spp., P. djamor strain MDU1, has good taste but a long cropping period of 47 days. Thus, genetic improvement of P. djamor was carried out between these two strains by pairing monokaryons (anastomosis) to develop elite hybrid strains having a short cropping period and good taste. Monokaryons of parental strains showed variation in time required for germination; i.e., basidiospores of P. djamor strain woody1 germinated and developed monokaryotic colonies in 6 days, whereas that of P. djamor strain MDU1 developed monokaryotic colonies in 8 days of incubation. In addition, variation in the growth rate and morphology of the monokaryotic mycelia of both parental strains was noticed, and fast-growing monokaryons were selected for anastomosis. Out of 60 crosses made between mycelia of monokaryotic isolates of both parental strains, 20 crosses showed clamp connection, indicating that they were successful crosses. Out of 20 hybrids, two hybrid strains, viz., W2M4 and W4M4, exhibited higher yields than their parents. They exhibited the short cropping period trait, good taste attribute, and some specific volatile metabolites. This study showed that the developed two hybrid varieties, having desirable agronomic traits, could be used in mushroom farming to increase the mushroom grower's income.