Improvement of Straw Mushroom [<I>Volvariella volvacea</I> (Bill.ex Fr.)Sing.) by Hybridization

Abstract

Twenty days of culture duration of the straw mushroom gave the highest mycelium dry weight when they were cultured in liquid medium. The 12^th sub culture of the mycelium gave a higher mycelium dry weight but not significantly different, each subculture last 20 days. However yield of mushroom decreased after the 8^th subculture.

            Both cultivars used (V1and V6) were obtained from Department of Agriculture. Twenty four homokaryons from V1 and twenty three from V6 were divided into fast, medium and slow growing mycelium. Only four homokaryons of fast and slow growing mycelium from each cultivar were selected for cross breeding. There were 64 combinations and 18 produced mushroom primodia but only 14 produced mushroom. One hybrid gave the highest yield which was higher than V6 but not significantly different from V1 and the commercially grown cultivar (Chakrapan).

            There was no correlation between mycelium weight and yield. The line which gave the highest mycelium weight did not give the highest yield.

            Electrophoretic zymogram of esterase and acid phosphatase can not be used to determined the yield potential of the hybrid strain.