QTL analysis of agronomic traits in Pleurotus ostreatus

QTL analysis of agronomic traits in Pleurotus ostreatus

Jae-San Ryu* and Kyung Suk Na

Department of Mushroom Science, Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries, Jeonju 64874, Korea

*:Corresponding author; Email: coolmush88@gmail.com

Pleurotus ostreatus is a globally cultivated mushroom crop known for its ease of cultivation and economic viability. However, breeding this mushroom takes a significant amount of time despite the increasing demand for new cultivars. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis serves as a valuable tool for selecting desirable traits. A genetic linkage map for P. ostreatus was constructed based on segregation analysis of markers in postmeiotic monokaryons from two P. ostreatus cultivars having distinct traits. 

A total of 11 LGs (linkage groups) were formed on the genetic linkage map, comprising 121 loci in F2 monokaryons. Dikaryotic populations resulting from the cross between the monokaryon KNR2247, serving as a tester strain, and 100 monokaryons from the F1 (Hektari × Miso) were employed to characterize QTLs. A total of 27 QTLs were identified using composite interval mapping, explaining between 7.5% and 27.3% of the phenotypic variations (R2) for the 13 traits. The candidate genes that appear to be associated with cap yellowness, which encode many glutathione pathway genes, have been suggested. The QTLs identified in this study could serve as strong indicators for locating the corresponding genes.