猴头菌是一种重要的食药用菌，而子实体大小是决定猴头菌商品价值的关键因素。猴头菌子实体大小是受多基因控制的数量性状，难以进行遗传改良。鉴定控制子实体大小的数量性状位点（QTLs），解析其遗传基础是选育优质猴头菌菌株的基础。本课题利用一种简单快速的定位方法QTL-seq，鉴定控制猴头菌子实体大小的遗传位点。在构建分离群体的基础上，根据双核体菌株极端表型，选取相对应的单核体菌株构建混合池。对混合池进行基因组重测序，开发全基因组范围内的SNP标记，利用混合池之间SNP位点的频率差异来进行QTL定位。再结合转录组分析，解析猴头菌子实体大小形成的遗传基础。本项目将QTL-seq引入猴头菌遗传改良研究，快速定位控制子实体大小的遗传位点，有助于建立分子标记辅助育种的技术体系。这既为选育优质的猴头菌品种奠定基础，亦对其它食用菌遗传改良研究具有重要的借鉴意义。

Hericium erinaceus is an important edible mushroom with compelling medicinal properties. As the main determinants of commercial value of H. erinaceus, the fruiting body size is a quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs). It is difficult to improve this trait with traditional breeding methods such as selection based on phenotypes. The dissection of genetic architectures of fruiting body size through QTL mapping lays a foundation for breeding high-quality varieties of H. erinaceus. In this proposal, we utilize a simple and rapid approach (QTL-seq) to map QTLs underlying fruiting body size of H. erinaceus. Based on the extreme phenotype of dikaryons in the segregating population, corresponding monokaryons are selected to produce two pools. Then, next generation sequence technology (NGS) are used to resequencing the two pools and the genome-wide SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) loci are screened. QTLs are mapped by comparing the SNP-index of the two pools. Then, combined with the transcriptome analysis, we uncover the genetic architecture of fruiting body size in H. erinaceus. In this project, it is the first time to utilize QTL-seq in genetic improvement of H. erinaceus. Rapid identification the loci responsible for fruiting body size by QTL-seq is of great value for performing marker assisted selection, which lays a foundation for breeding high-quality varieties of H. erinaceus. This project also possesses important reference significance for genetic improvement of other edible mushrooms.