Comparing Treatment Methods of Apple Tree Chips in Terms of Mycelia Growth of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm)

Abstract

In this study, we chemically treated apple tree chips and evaluated the colonisation of these substrates by the mycelium of Pleurotus. ostreatus. Chips were treated by a liquid surfactant Empigen OB (0.02 – 0.32 %), calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 (1 – 3 %) and sodium hypochlorite NaClO (0.5 – 1.5 %), and by their combinations. Substrates treated with a combination of the Empigen and NaClO reached the pH values of 6.5, with a combination of the Empigen and hydroxide, pH values did not exceed 7.9. Significantly higher gains of P. ostreatus mycelium 15 days after inoculation were found for the substrate treated with 2 % Ca(OH)2 and in the substrate treated with 0.08 % Empigen. The majority of substrates treated with the combination of NaClO and the Empigen showed significantly higher mycelium gains 15 days after inoculation compared to the control. The best results were obtained with the combination 0.08 % Empigen + 1.5 % NaClO. These results indicate positive synergic effect of the Empigen and NaClO. Collectively, treatment of the substrate based on apple tree chips by surfactant Empigen, Ca(OH)2 and NaClO (apart from the combination of the surfactant and Ca(OH)2 seem to be a suitable approach for substrate preparation.