Agronomic Characteristics and Their Correlations with Yield of 22 Strains of Flammulina velutipes

Agronomic characteristics,e.g.,stipe length,cap size,and cap thickness,as well as their correlations with the product yield of 22 strains of Flammulina velutipes were studied.The results showed that the color of the fruiting bodies of F0006,F0016+1,F0111,F0148,and F0154 was white,while the others were yellow or light yellow.In general,the yellow and pale yellow mushrooms had a higher yield and a shorter squaring time(i.e.,16-28 days vs.50+ days for most of the white strains,except F0016+1)than their white counterparts.The white F0016+1,showing a high yield,short squaring time,long stipe,very thick cap with regular size,and delayed parachuting,was considered a strain with desirable traits and high commercial value.It was found that the stipe length,not the size nor cap thickness,correlated positively with the mushroom yield.