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Preliminary Studies on the Effects of Oyster Mushroom Spherical Virus China Strain on the Mycelial Growth and Fruiting Body Yield of the Edible Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus

Summary

This research investigated how a virus affects the growth and production of oyster mushrooms, a widely cultivated edible mushroom. The study found that infected mushrooms grow more slowly, develop abnormally, and produce significantly fewer mushrooms compared to healthy ones. This virus can also spread between different mushroom cultures through direct contact. Impacts on everyday life: • Reduced availability and potentially higher prices of oyster mushrooms due to viral infection • Lower quality mushrooms with abnormal appearance in markets • Economic losses for mushroom farmers and producers • Need for better disease management in mushroom cultivation • Importance of maintaining virus-free mushroom cultures for sustainable production

Background

Oyster mushroom spherical virus (OMSV) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA mycovirus associated with devastating oyster mushroom die-back disease. While OMSV has been previously identified in Korea, little is known about its diversity and effects on fungal hosts. Understanding its classification and impact on mushroom growth is crucial for disease prevention and control.

Objective

To characterize a new strain of OMSV from China (OMSV-Ch), determine its phylogenetic relationship to other viruses, and study its effects on the growth and yield of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms. Additionally, to investigate the possibility of horizontal virus transmission between infected and uninfected strains.

Results

The OMSV-Ch genome showed 74.9% identity with the Korean strain (OMSV-Kr). Phylogenetic analysis suggested OMSV may belong to a new genus in the Tymoviridae family. OMSV-Ch infection significantly inhibited mycelial growth, caused malformation of fruiting bodies, and reduced mushroom yields by 33% compared to virus-free strains. The virus could be horizontally transmitted to virus-free strains through hyphal contact.

Conclusion

OMSV-Ch represents a new strain that significantly impacts P. ostreatus growth and productivity. The virus can be transmitted between strains and belongs to a potentially new genus within Tymoviridae. These findings provide important groundwork for understanding OMSV pathogenicity and developing control strategies for mycoviral diseases in edible mushrooms.
  • Published in:Biology (Basel),
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/biology11040574
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