Strain improvement of Pleurotus spp.

Abstract

The effect of gamma irradiation, ultraviolet irradiation and nitroso-guanidine treatment of spore suspensions of three mushrooms viz., Pleurotus sajor-caju, P. citrinopileatus, P. djamor on the mycelial growth and yield performance was studied. Ultraviolet irradiation had no effect either on the mycelial growth or yield. Gamma irradiation at dose rate of 2000, 2500 and 3000 rad showed significantly increased mycelial growth and yield of Pleurotus spp. Treatment with nitroso-guanidine also resulted in increased mycelial growth, significantly higher yield and earliness in the appearance of sporophores.