Temperature is one of the main factors affecting mushrooms development and introduction in new areas. Effects of temperature (15ºC and 28ºC) and luminosity (120 and 900 lux) were evaluated for eight P. ostreatus strains in relation to precocity, yield, pileus area, stalk formation pattern, coloration and handling resistance. Genetic variability of strains was analysed by the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. The Pos 98/37 strain was the only to yield white pileus at 28ºC - 900 lux, and grey ones at 15ºC and 120 lux. The Pos 96/05 strain, the latest, produced lead-coloured pileus at 15ºC, as did the remaining strains at this temperature. Strains cultivated at 15ºC did not differ in relation to handling resistance. At 28ºC mushrooms were less resistant. In relation to yield, the Pos 98/38 strain was significantly more efficient. The Pos 98/37 strain, at 28ºC, as compared to the same strain at 15ºC, was more efficient and had an asymmetric stalk formation pattern. Among strains cultivated at 15ºC, the stalk formation pattern was symmetric, except for the Pos 97/15 and Pos 97/17 strains. Molecular characterization of the Pos 98/37 strain was 30% similar to the remaining strains. The temperature of fructification and luminosity influence the induction and development of the isolates.
mushrooms; temperature; morphology of basidiocarps; yield and marked RAPD