The biological species of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) from Asia based on mating compatibility tests

Abstract

Mating compatibility of 25 Pleurotus species collected mainly from Asia was tested by either the Mon–Mon mating or the Di–Mon mating tests. The results showed 5 intersterility groups (P. ostreatus, P. pulmonarius, P. cornucopiae, P. cystidiosus, and P. salmoneostramineus complexes) and 7 independent interincompatible species (P. calyptratus, P. corticatus, P. dryinus, P. eryngii, P. nebrodensis, P. smithii, and P. ulmarius). The P. ostreatus complex includes P. ostreatus, P. ostreatus var. columbinus, P. djamor, and P. flabellatus. The P. pulmonarius complex has 7 taxa: P. pulmonarius, P. eugrammus, P. eugrammus var. brevisporus, P. sajor-caju, P. sapidus, P. sp. florida, and P. opuntiae. The P. cornucopiae complex includes its variant P. cornucopiae var. citrinopileatus. The P. cystidiosus complex includes P. abalonus. The P. salmoneostramineus complex includes 3 pink-colored mushrooms: P. salmoneostramineus, P. ostreatoroseus, and P. rhodophyllus. According to mating compatibility tests, 12 biological species were identified from among 25 Pleurotus species.