Mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with temperature for fruiting body induction in Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom)

Abstract

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is one of the most popular and widely cultivated mushrooms, especially in East Asia. Temperature is the critical factor affecting fruiting body induction. Due to climate change and increasing fuel costs, there is a growing demand for breeding L. edodes strains that fruit at higher temperatures. This study constructed a linkage map using 94 single spore isolates (SSIs) from the hybrid strain MCR 487 derived from crossing the high-temperature type (H-type) strain KRCF 1097 and the low to medium-temperature type (LM-type) strain KRCF 1101. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with higher-temperature fruiting ability were analyzed using 92 dikaryotic strains obtained from crossing SSIs from MCR 487 with the L-type strain KRCF 1098SS-2. Four QTLs (qTF1-4) controlling temperature for fruiting body induction were identified on the linkage map. Specific DNA marker was developed based on the sequence of the H-type qTF1, enabling the selection of strains capable of fruiting at higher temperatures. This study demonstrates that genome sequencing and QTL analysis can be used to obtain parental strains for breeding L. edodes strains suited for higher temperature cultivation, offering promising prospects for future breeding strategies.