Abstract: Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of 20 wild and 5 cultivated strains of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach was done in terms of genetic diversity. The genotype destined for 20 wild heterokaryotic strains identified by AFLP fingerprints. Although 5 cultivated strains were almost identical in the AFLP fingerprints, they can be easily distinguished by AFLP markers. Homokaryons isolated from single spore carry some of the AFLP fingerprints of heterokaryon. Most strains of the single spore isolated from the same fruit body are identical with their parental heterokaryon in AFLP fingerprints. UPGMA analysis of the AFLP data reveals two distinct clusters corresponding to their different geographical populations. These re-sults concluded (1) there are some obvious genetic differences among different wild geographical populations; (2) most strains isolated from single spore have the same genetic materials as their parents; (3) the genetic diversity of wild strains is much richer than the cultivated ones; (4) the AFLP fingerprint is an efficient tool and a new technique in genetic studies of A. bisporus.

Key words: AFLP markers