Studies on morphological and growth characters of new Pleurotus isolates

Abstract

Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sp. is suitable for commercial cultivation in subtropical regions and winter seasons in tropical regions of the world. The present study was carried out to isolate and characterize new Pleurotus isolates. Among a few collected isolates of Pleurotus sp., Pleurotus sp. isolate virutha1 produced well developed basidiocarp and it was compared with other cultivated Pleurotus spp. such as P. djamor isolate woody 1 and P. florida. These three Pleurotus spp. were analysed for different morphological traits viz., stipe length, diameter of the pileus, thickness of fruiting body, margin of fruiting body, colour of fruiting bodies and number of gills. Results indicated that all these three species of Pleurotus showed great diversity in their morphological characters. Typically, Pleurous sp. isolate virutha and P. djamor isolate woody 1 appeared astipitate (no stipe). Whereas P. florida had well developed stip. With regard to the colour, P. djamor isolate woody 1 appeared as white whereas Pleurotus sp. isolate virutha appeared light pink in colour at the initial growth phase and later growth phases, it appeared as white. P. florida appeared in creamy white in colour. All these Pleurotus spp. grown well in maize agar medium whereas potato dextrose agar medium supported slow growth.