Effectiveness of estimation for cultural traits of strains using a miniature bed in Hypsizygus marmoreus (Bunashimeji mushroom) breeding

Abstract

To shorten the cultivation period and decrease the space required for screening <i>Hypsizygus marmoreus</i> (Bunashimeji mushroom) strains, we investigated several cultural traits of strains using ‘miniature beds’, which were 15% the size of conventional beds (control). Earlier fructification was observed when spawn runs were carried out on Japanese cedar (sugi) sawdust-based media or at 25℃ compared to on corn cob meal-based media or at 20℃, respectively. When spawn runs of 18 to 22 strains were compared under suitable conditions using ‘miniature beds’ and under conventional conditions and beds, significant positive correlations (<i>r</i> = 0.73 and 0.79) were observed in the miniature beds for days to harvest after scratching and in fruit body yield per bottle, respectively. In all strains, the pilei of fruit bodies that formed in the ‘miniature beds’ were morphologically similar to those that formed in the conventional beds. Further, other characteristics were completely consistent with the characteristics of each strain. The optimized methods together with the use of miniature beds reduced the time required to form fruit bodies by more than one month compared to conventional culture methods. The findings suggest that the use of miniature beds will accelerate the estimation for cultural traits of strains in Bunashimeji mushroom breeding.