167
2004; Pradeep and Vrinda 2007; Varghese et al. 2010; Mohanan 2011), L. dicholamellatus, L. tigrinus (Mohanan 2011), and L. squarrosulus (Sharma et al. 1985;
Florence and Yesodharan 2000; Manimohan et al. 2004; Pradeep and Vrinda 2007;
Varghese et al. 2010; Mohanan 2011; Senthilarasu 2014). On the other side, the
phylogenetic characterization of wild edible mushroom of Nagaland and India identified L. edodes, L. squarrosulus, L. tigrinus, L. sajor-caju, and L. squarrosulus (Ao
et al. 2019). Recently, a group of 44 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers has been
developed for shiitake mushroom cultivars based on the complete genomic information of L. edodes. These markers can be explored for molecular breeding, determination of cultivars, and other applications of shiitake mushrooms (Lee et al. 2017).
Here in this chapter, we have discussed the taxonomic view, cultivation practices
of mushroom, and its importance in health and nutraceuticals sectors of shiitake
which can play a big role in increasing the livelihood of farmers in India.
10.2 Historical Biogeography of Shiitake Cultivation
Lentinula mushrooms represent a group of wood-decaying higher fungi. The genus
is known for shiitake mushroom cultivation. Lentinula has been reported in the wild
from continents such as Australia, Asia, and America. Lentinula boryana has been
reported from Northern to South America and the Gulf Coast of North America,
whereas a single collection of L. guarapiensis has been reported from Paraguay
(Pegler 1983). Species demarcation of shiitake is controversial. As described earlier,
shiitake was initially classified into three species: L. edodes from continental and
northeast Asia, L. lateritia from tropical Asia and Australia, and L. novaezelandieae
from New Zealand (Pegler 1983). However, since all these species were interfertile,
therefore it is revealed that all of them should be considered a single species
(Shimomura et al. 1992). Based on phylogenetic analysis, four distinct lineages (I–
IV) of Lentinula were reported in Asia–Australia, and it was proposed that these
lines could be categorized as phylogenetic species (Hibbett et al. 1995). The group
I belonged to Thailand, Japan, and Borneo, whereas the group II was reported from
Papua New Guinea and Tasmania. The III group was restricted to New Zealand,
whereas group IV was restricted to Papua New Guinea. However, many Lentinula
populations from China and Australia not represented in previous study were
included (Hibbett et al. 1998). In another study, isolates of Lentinula from the Old
and New World were found incapable of mating with each other (Guzman et al.
1997). Two species of L. sensu Pegler, i.e., L. boryana (Berk. & Mont.) Pegler and
L. guarapiensis (Speg.), were reported in the New World. The phylogenetic analysis
based on rDNA revealed that the members of Lentinula of both the New World and
Old World were classified as monophyletic. The phylogenetic analysis based on ITS
analysis revealed seven unique Lentinula species (Hibbett et al. 1998; Hibbett and
Avenue 2001).
10 Recent Developments in Shiitake Mushrooms and Their Nutraceutical Importance
2004; Pradeep and Vrinda 2007; Varghese et al. 2010; Mohanan 2011), L. dicholamellatus, L. tigrinus (Mohanan 2011), and L. squarrosulus (Sharma et al. 1985;
Florence and Yesodharan 2000; Manimohan et al. 2004; Pradeep and Vrinda 2007;
Varghese et al. 2010; Mohanan 2011; Senthilarasu 2014). On the other side, the
phylogenetic characterization of wild edible mushroom of Nagaland and India identified L. edodes, L. squarrosulus, L. tigrinus, L. sajor-caju, and L. squarrosulus (Ao
et al. 2019). Recently, a group of 44 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers has been
developed for shiitake mushroom cultivars based on the complete genomic information of L. edodes. These markers can be explored for molecular breeding, determination of cultivars, and other applications of shiitake mushrooms (Lee et al. 2017).
Here in this chapter, we have discussed the taxonomic view, cultivation practices
of mushroom, and its importance in health and nutraceuticals sectors of shiitake
which can play a big role in increasing the livelihood of farmers in India.
10.2 Historical Biogeography of Shiitake Cultivation
Lentinula mushrooms represent a group of wood-decaying higher fungi. The genus
is known for shiitake mushroom cultivation. Lentinula has been reported in the wild
from continents such as Australia, Asia, and America. Lentinula boryana has been
reported from Northern to South America and the Gulf Coast of North America,
whereas a single collection of L. guarapiensis has been reported from Paraguay
(Pegler 1983). Species demarcation of shiitake is controversial. As described earlier,
shiitake was initially classified into three species: L. edodes from continental and
northeast Asia, L. lateritia from tropical Asia and Australia, and L. novaezelandieae
from New Zealand (Pegler 1983). However, since all these species were interfertile,
therefore it is revealed that all of them should be considered a single species
(Shimomura et al. 1992). Based on phylogenetic analysis, four distinct lineages (I–
IV) of Lentinula were reported in Asia–Australia, and it was proposed that these
lines could be categorized as phylogenetic species (Hibbett et al. 1995). The group
I belonged to Thailand, Japan, and Borneo, whereas the group II was reported from
Papua New Guinea and Tasmania. The III group was restricted to New Zealand,
whereas group IV was restricted to Papua New Guinea. However, many Lentinula
populations from China and Australia not represented in previous study were
included (Hibbett et al. 1998). In another study, isolates of Lentinula from the Old
and New World were found incapable of mating with each other (Guzman et al.
1997). Two species of L. sensu Pegler, i.e., L. boryana (Berk. & Mont.) Pegler and
L. guarapiensis (Speg.), were reported in the New World. The phylogenetic analysis
based on rDNA revealed that the members of Lentinula of both the New World and
Old World were classified as monophyletic. The phylogenetic analysis based on ITS
analysis revealed seven unique Lentinula species (Hibbett et al. 1998; Hibbett and
Avenue 2001).
10 Recent Developments in Shiitake Mushrooms and Their Nutraceutical Importance