Cordyceps militaris has been extensively cultivated as a model cordyceps species for commercial purposes. Nevertheless, the problems related to strain degeneration and breeding technologies remain unresolved. This study assessed the physiology and fertility traits of six C. militaris strains with distinct origins and characteristics, focusing on single mating-type strains. The results demonstrated that the three identified strains (CMDB01, CMSY01, and CMJB02) were single mating-type possessing only one mating-type gene (MAT1-1). In contrast, the other three strains (CMXF07, CMXF09, and CMMS05) were the dual mating type. The MAT1-1 strains sourced from CMDB01, CMSY01, and CMJB02 consistently produced sporocarps but failed to generate ascospores. However, when paired with MAT1-2 strains, the MAT1-1 strains with slender fruiting bodies and normal morphology were fertile. The hyphal growth rate of single mating-type strains (CMDB01, CMSY01, and CMJB02) typically surpassed that of dual mating-type strains (CMXF07, CMXF09, and CMMS05). The growth rates of MAT1-2 and MAT1-1 strains were proportional to their ratios, such that a single mating-type strain with a higher ratio exhibited an increased growth rate. As C. militaris matured, the adenosine content decreased. In summary, the C. militaris strains that consistently produce sporocarps and have a single mating type are highly promising for production and breeding.

北虫草已作为商业用途的模式虫草物种而被广泛种植。然而，与菌株退化和育种技术相关的问题仍未解决。本研究评估了六种具有不同起源和特征的蛹菌株的生理学和生育性状，重点关注单一交配型菌株。结果表明，鉴定的3个菌株（CMDB01、CMSY01和CMJB02）均为单交配型，仅具有1个交配型基因（MAT1-1）。相比之下，其他三个菌株（CMXF07、CMXF09 和 CMMS05）是双重交配型。源自 CMDB01、CMSY01 和 CMJB02 的MAT1-1菌株始终产生子实体，但未能产生子囊孢子。然而，当与MAT1-2菌株配对时，具有细长子实体和正常形态的MAT1-1菌株是可育的。单交配型菌株（CMDB01、CMSY01 和 CMJB02）的菌丝生长速率通常超过双交配型菌株（CMXF07、CMXF09 和 CMMS05）。MAT1-2和MAT1-1菌株的生长速率与其比率成正比，使得具有较高比率的单一交配型菌株表现出增加的生长速率。随着蛹的成熟，腺苷含量下降。综上所述，持续产生子实体且交配类型单一的蛹虫草菌株在生产和育种方面具有广阔的前景。