Abstract
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus) is the choicest edible species cultivated in various regions of the world. Strain improvement studies were carried out in three strains of P. Ostreatus spp. Three strains of P. Ostreatus viz. PO-2, PO-6 and PO-7 were used for strain improvement, emphasizing on lower spore count and colour of the sporophore. It is a gymnocarpous genus of mushroom, which continuously release spores in its close vicinity causing various respiratory allergies. Their spores are highly potent allergens which can also cause exogenous allergic alveolitis. Attempts were made to produce low sporing strains of P. Ostreatus through mutagenesis using physical mutagen (UV light) and chemical mutagen (ethyl methyl sulfonate, EMS). Spores of three strains of P. Ostreatus spp. were given different treatments with UV light and EMS. Mutants exhibited appressed mycelial growth and showed slower spawn run and creamish white sporophore in PO 7(U4). A lower spore count was also observed in PO-7(E3) mutant as compared to control. Key words: Pleurotus, UV light, ethyl methyl sulfonate, mutagens.
Highlights
Pleurotus spp. constitute 30% and ranks third among the cultivated mushrooms grown widely in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of the world
Spore prints were made on sterile Petri plate of three selected isolates of P. ostreatus viz. PO-2, PO-6 and PO-7 by keeping them covered with a glass jar overnight
Three cultivated strains viz. PO-2, PO-6 and PO-7 were used in strain improvement of species P. ostreatus and inducing desirable traits such as white colour of the basidiocarp and sporeless fruit bodies
Summary
Pleurotus spp. constitute 30% and ranks third among the cultivated mushrooms grown widely in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of the world. The species of Pleurotus grow in the forests, attacking both cellulose and lignin components of wood (Zardazil and Kurtzman, 1982). The total world production of mushrooms is 200 thousand lakh tones in 2010. In the last few decades, Pleurotus cultivation has accelerated in India. It being a predo-minantly agriculture based country, holds a vast potential and stock of lignocellulosic waste, its adaptability to a wide range of subtropical climate temperature (20-30°C), ease of its cultivation, having good culinary and medicinal properties has attracted various farmers, entrepreneurs for its commercial production in the Indian sub continent
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
