SANA KHALID, LAHORE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN UNIVERSITY, JAIL ROAD, LAHORE

Sana Khalid1, Fatima Saif1, Zayab Khalid1, Muhammad Naveed Shahid2 1Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road, Lahore, Pakistan. 2Department of Botany, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Township, Lahore, Pakistan

Epidemiology, Evolution, and Diversity

The commercial mushroom Agaricus bisporus is susceptible to a disease caused by a group of viruses known as mushroom virus X (MVX). MVX symptoms include poor-quality mushrooms and mushroom cap discoloration (browning), which are associated with four low molecular weight dsRNA bands that are consistently synchronous to mushroom off-color/browning symptoms. Most modern commercial varieties of A. bisporus are mid-range hybrids that are nearly genetically identical. One significant disadvantage of this lack of genetic diversity is that mushroom crops worldwide are all susceptible to the same pathogens, including viruses. Mycoviruses, which infect fungi, are found across a wide range of fungal taxonomic groups and can significantly influence fungal growth and pathogenicity. This study focuses on identifying and characterizing mycoviruses isolated from Agaricus bisporus, an economically important edible mushroom. The viruses were molecularly characterized using the CTAB method, followed by PCR-based confirmation with specific primer sets. Furthermore, in silico analyses were conducted to construct a phylogenetic tree and examine the genetic diversity and mutation patterns of the isolated mycovirus in comparison to other known mycoviruses. Recombination events within the viral genomes were explored to pinpoint potential recombination regions. This research aims to enhance our understanding of mycovirus diversity and evolution, particularly their impact on Agaricus bisporus, with a focus on symptoms such as browning and growth inhibition. Control measures rely solely on good crop hygiene to prevent virus cross-contamination and crop transmission. This is probably the first information about the potential presence of MVX on Pakistani mushroom farms.