The studies were undertaken for developing an efficient protocol for production and release of protoplasts from two species of Pleurotus viz P. florida (PF-5) and P. sajor-caju (PSC-3) recommended for commercial cultivation by mushroom growers of the State with the objective of using these in systematic strain improvement programme to develop intra/interspecific hybrids. It was found that 3–4 day old mycelium of both the species released maximum protoplasts (1.62 x 107 and 1.67 x 107/ml), using a combination of 0.1% Chitinase, 0.1% Lyticase and 0.5% Driselase in the presence of 0.6M MgSO4-. 7H2O at 25°C after 6–12 hours incubation period.
Buffers, Lytic enzymes, Osmoticum, Pleurotus, Protoplast release
