Objective  Morphological and genetic characteristics of strains of Auricularia cornea were studied to facilitate new variety breeding and germplasm conservation.

  Method  The agronomic properties and ISSR molecular markers of 8 major strains of cultivated or hybrid A. cornea collected from Fujian and other producing provinces in China were determined for comparison.

  Result  The strains had significant morphological and genetic differences. Zhanger 43-28 and Strain 43012 showed the highest rate of mycelial growth with an average diameter of 11.8 cm and 11.3 cm, respectively, a thickness of 0.128 cm and 0.126 cm, respectively, and an output of 72.5 g·bag⁻¹ and 71.5 g·bag⁻¹, respectively, on earpieces. Za 10 had numerous earpieces with the fruiting body a chrysanthemum-like appearance. And the ventral surface of Strain CR5 was light reddish brown in color. The dried fruiting bodies of the 8 strains were either white or yellow on the back. Thus, Yonger 13, Strain 781, and Zhangping 42 were commercially categorized as yellow-backed and the other strains white-backed A. cornea. At 75% similarity on ISSR molecular markers, the 8 strains were clustered into Group 1 that consisted of Strain 781 and Yonger 13, the similarity of the two strains was 98%. Group 2 of Strain CR5, Group 3 of Zhanger 43-28 and Za 10, the similarity of the two strains was 76%. Group 4 of Sumao 3 and Strain 43012, the similarity of the two strains was 83% and Group 5 of Zhangping 42, Zhangping 42 and the remainders at 53%.

  Conclusion  Combined the agronomic characteristics and ISSR clustering result, Yonger 13 and Strain 781 appeared phylogenetically closely related. They were same species but had been given different names. Strains Za 10, CR5, 43012 and Zhanger 4328 have their own advantages and can be used as parents of cross breeding.