Mathematical study of the effects of temperature and humidity on the mycelium growth of Pleurotus eryngii

Abstract

Mycelium is the vegetative part of Pleurotus eryngii. It is through mycelium that P. eryngii absorbs nutrients from substrates. Whether mycelium growth is good or not will determine the differentiation of the bud and productivity of the fruit body. Mycelium growth is influenced by environmental conditions, especially air temperature and humidity. Precise control of the environment is very important, because of the high cost and energy consumption of commercial production of fungi. Through experimentation and analysis of the effects on mycelium growth of variations in air temperature and relative humidity, a mathematical model for these effects was developed. From this model, the appropriate environmental range model for mycelium growth of P. eryngii in commercial production was obtained. With these models, mycelium growth rate and optimal climate control parameters can be obtained to guide environmental control in the commercial production of P. eryngii. Finally the standard values of mycelium biomass, appropriate environmental control ranges, optimal air temperature and relative humidity for each day of the mycelium growth period were calculated with the models. These provide reference values suitable for application to actual production.