MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND CULTIVATION OF WILD Pleurotus spp. STRAINS FROM VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

Pleurotus species have great potential for commercial cultivation in Mexico; however, the genetic resources of this genus have not yet been comprehensively studied in the country. The objectives of this study were 1) to identify wild strains of the genus Pleurotus from Veracruz, Mexico by molecular techniques and 2) to evaluate their productivity. Species identification was carried out by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and combining their phenotypic characteristics. The production variables considered were biological efficiency, total weight, production rate, production cycles and fruiting body size. Three species were identified. Some strains of P. ostreatus presented higher production rates (2.7), with yields higher than those of a commercial strain, with a production rate of 2.2. This study demonstrates the potential for commercial cultivation of Pleurotus spp. in tropical areas.