Spawn Substrate Research Articles

Green mould contamination of Pleurotus pulmonarius cultivation in Malaysia: Unravelling causal agents and water source as critical factors

Green mould contamination causes a significant challenge to mushroom growers in Malaysia leading to reduced yields and economic losses in the widely cultivated and marketed edible grey oyster mushroom, Pleurotus pulmanorius. This study aimed to identify the causal agents of green mould contaminants and determine the critical points in the cultivation process in the farm that contribute to green mould contamination. Samples of mushroom substrate (sawdust), spawn substrate (corn), environmental sources and tools were collected at different stages of mushroom cultivation. As results, the causal agents of green mould contamination were identified as Trichoderma pleuroti, T. harzianum and T. ghanese. Prior to steam pasteurisation and after steam pasteurisation, the spawn substrate and mushroom substrate were found to be free of Trichoderma. However, Trichoderma was detected in water, air within the production house and on cleaning tools. This findings suggests that water could serve as the source of green mould introduction in mushroom farms, while cultivation practices such as watering and scratching during the harvesting cycle may contribute to adverse green mould. Understanding these critical points and causal agents provides information to mitigate the green mould contamination throughout the grey oyster mushroom cultivation process.

Evaluation of spawn quality and doses on yield and biological efficiency of Blue Oyster Mushroom [Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.: Fr.) Redhead

Mushroom cultivation is a cost effective biotechnological approach for converting lignocellulosic wastes into edible proteins. Blue Oyster mushroom is a novel species which has a wide use due to its unique taste, flavor, nutritive and medicinal values. Since, spawn quality is the most important factor of edible mushroom production hence, the study was undertaken to determine the influence of spawn substrate and doses on the yield and biological efficiency of H. ulmarius on different agri/industrial wastes. Out of seven different grain substrates evaluated, bajra grains were found as an excellent substrate for spawn production. Growth rate, yield and biological efficiency was also recorded more on bajra grain spawn. Spawning with bajra grain spawn resulted in faster spawn run (13.67 days), first flush (20.33 days), maximum number of sporocarps (38.33), longest stipe length (5.37 cm) and maximum cap diameter (8.57 cm) on wheat straw substrate. Further it can be concluded that 5.0 per cent spawn dose on wheat straw substrate resulted in minimum spawn run period (12.66 days), maximum number of fruit bodies (42.33) and highest yield (661.67 g/0.5 Kg substrate) and maximum biological efficiency (132.33 %) followed by 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0 per cent spawn dose respectively spawned with bajra grain spawn. These studies will help in effectively utilization of agri/industrial wastes for production of high quality proteins and crucial to help alleviate the perils of hunger as well as a step forward towards the sustainable environmental conservation.

Impact of different spawn substrates on production of Button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange), Sing

An experiment was conducted to determine the best substrate for Agaricus bisporus spawn production and cultivated on the compost in Bihar, India. The cereal grains of Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Maize (Zea mays) and Paddy (Oriza sativa) were evaluated as spawn substrate. Agaricus bisporus was incubated at 24±1°C for spawn development. Observations were recorded for number of days taken for spawn development. Spawn raised on different grains was also used for cultivation on compost to assess the period of spawn run, number of days taken for pinhead initiations and weight of fruiting body. The shortest period for spawn development (11.6 days) was obtained with wheat grains indicating its suitability for efficient spawn production. The different grains also influenced the duration of spawn run, pin-head formation. Highest yield of Agaricus bisporus was recorded on wheat grain spawn and it was followed by maize spawn.

Survey of mushroom consumption and the possible use of gamma irradiation for sterilization of compost for its cultivation in Southern Ghana

BackgroundMushroom cultivation is increasingly becoming a serious agribusiness in Ghana, especially at the time when entrepreneurship is being encouraged to reduce the pressure of employment in the government sector and also due to its nutritional and medicinal attributes.MethodsA survey was carried out using the rapid appraisal method to review the existing methods of sterilization, use of gamma radiation in substrate sterilization and food preservation, preference of mushrooms in Ghana by consumers and nutritional and medicinal attributes of the mushroom.ResultsThe survey demonstrated the popularity of drum (moist heat) technique of sterilization in Ghana. Majority (64%) of the respondents were dissatisfied with the method of sterilization of compost and spawn substrate, while 36% indicated the method was alright by them. Majority (82%) of the respondents had never heard of sterilization of substrates for cultivation and its subsequent preservation of food or mushroom by gamma irradiation technique. All consumers (100%) desired to see their favorite mushroom produced all year round, and this constituted a significant (p < 0.05) viewpoint. Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.05) majority (90%) of the respondents were all for promotion of the consumption of mushroom, while a small percentage (10%) were noncommittal.ConclusionInformation and knowledge on the gamma irradiation technique for substrate production and consumption patterns of P.ostreatus mushrooms were not widely disseminated as anticipated.

Optimization of growth parameters for increased yield of the edible mushroom Calocybe indica

This study was conducted to enhance the yield performance of Calocybe indicathrough optimization of the cultivation parameters by utilizing cheaper substrates that are available in Tamil Nadu, India. The total fresh mushroom yield obtained with a change in spawn substrate, spawn running bed substrate (SRBS), sterilization procedure and casing soil with different amendments were studied. Sorghum grainsprovided the highest yield of 1.58 ± 0.06 g fresh mycelia after 17 ± 0.75 days of incubation. The protein, fat, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, moisture and ash content of mushrooms were also analyzed. The maximum amount of nutritive value was obtained from the paddy straw and the lowest from sugarcane leaves as substrate. The fat, protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, moisture and ash (g/100 g dried matter) values of C. indica were 0.66 ± 0.02 g, 31.29 ± 1.56 g, 58.40 ± 1.75 g, 38.21 ± 1.91 g, 84.91% and 8.47 ± 0.25 g, respectively, when cultivated in paddy straw. Furthermore, the chemical sterilization yielded 1.16 kg of mushroom with a contamination rate of <8 of 30 bags. The different chemical compositions were used in the preparation of casing soil; however, it produced the highest yield of 1648 ± 49.44 g/kg (w/w) for paddy straw. Key words: Calocybe indica, chemical sterilization, growth parameters, physical sterilization, substrate.

Impact of different spawn substrates on yield of Calocybe indica

Mushrooms have existed for millions of years and mankind has regarded them as a valuable food and at present, mushroom cultivation is the only economically viable biotechnology process where in waste materials or crop residues may be converted into valuable food. Paddy straw mushroom, Volvariella sp., and oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sp., could not perform better in the summer months because of their temperature preferences. Milky mushroom, Calocybe indica, with its ability to grow fairly at high temperatures with excellent shelf life seems to be the best alternative to such mushrooms. Due to this promising ability, an experiment was conducted to find the suitability of different grains as spawn substrates and their effect on yield parameters of C. indica. The results revealed the supremacy of sorghum grains as the most suitable substrate for early spawn run, which took only 13.7 days for hundred percent mycelial growth. The yield and number of buttons harvested were found maximum in the sorghum grain spawn followed by ragi grain spawn. The maize grain substrates took 19 days for complete spawn run and recorded low yield when compared to other spawn substrates. The days for pin head formation and first harvest of the crop were earlier in case of sorghum grain spawn followed by ragi spawn. Key words: Mushroom, Calocybe indica, spawn substrate, sorghum grain.

Evaluating the addition of activated carbon to heat-treated mushroom casing for grain-based and compost-based substrates

Two substrates, a non-composted grain spawn substrate and a traditional composted substrate, each covered with peat-based casing that contained varying amounts of activated carbon (AC) and each receiving different heat-treatment durations, were tested for Agaricus bisporus mushroom production. The amounts of AC were 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% v/v, and the heat treatments were 0, 60, and 180 min at 121 °C and 103.4 kPa. Overall, the addition of AC up to 10–15% of casing for a grain spawn substrate increased mushroom yield. However, the addition of AC to the casing for compost substrates had no significant effect on yield, whereas heat-treating the casing increased yield. The onset of fruiting was retarded in grain spawn treatments not receiving AC with heat-treatment durations of 60 and 180 min, whereas this effect was not as apparent for the compost substrates. On average, mushroom yield was greater for the grain spawn substrate (366 g) than for compost substrate (287 g). For grain spawn substrate, the results show that the addition of AC ranging from 5% to 10% was adequate for maximum mushroom production.

Enhanced Production of Agaricus bisporus Using Non-Composted Substrate in the Presence of Delayed-Release Supplements and Control Agents for Water Release

Non-composted substrates composed of commercial grain spawn and delayed-release nutrient supplements were tested for mushroom production as alternatives to the environmentally problematic composting process associated with conventional commercial mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) cultivation. The effect of casing type, thiophanate-methyl (fungicide) use, delayed-release supplement type (S41 and S44) and level, and perlite addition were tested on mushroom production. Use of a non-sterile casing overlain on grain spawn/supplement substrate produced mushrooms comparable to a steam-treated casing with 25% activated carbon, yielding 6.4 and 7.6 kg m-2, respectively. Thiophanate-methyl severely reduced mushroom yield when used. Average mushroom yield from treatments with S41 supplement was greater than that of S44, and when commercial grain spawn substrate was underlain with a layer of perlite (2000 mL over 0.048 m2) to absorb and release excess water, mushroom yield increased two-fold, producing 13 kg m-2, compared to 7.6 kg m-2 for treatments without perlite.

Effect of ‘Azotobacter’ Bioinoculant on the Growth and Substrate Utilization Potential of Pleurotus eous Seed Spawn

We investigated the effect of nitrogen fixing Azotobacter bioinoculant on the mycelial growth and the rate of substrate utilization by Pleurotus eous. The synergistic or antagonistic role of the microorganism during dual culturing with the mushroom or the competitor molds Trichoderma viride, and Trichoderma reesi was studied. Azotobacter was inhibitory to the molds, which are competitive to the mushroom in the seed spawn substrate, but was synergistic towards the mushroom. The growth, substrate utilization potential as total nitrogen content and cellulase enzyme activities of the mushroom in the seed spawn substrate were also enhanced in the presence of the bioinoculant at lower inoculum concentrations, upto 5 ml broth culture per spawn bottle.

톱밥 및 농업부산물 이용 배지상에서 노루궁뎅이버섯(Hericium erinaceum)의 균사생장 및 자실체형성

본 실험은 다양한 농가부산물들이 노루궁데이버섯의 재배를 위한 기질로써 적합한지를 알아보기 위하여 실시되었다. 이를 위해 참나무 톱밥, 사탕수수박, 코코낫박, 율무박, 왕겨, 배추, 면자각의 기본 기질들과 미강, 옥수수박의 첨가물을 서로 다른 비율과 조성을 통하여 노루궁뎅이버섯 균주를 접종한 후, 균사생장과 균사밀도, 자실체 생산량, 생물학적 효율을 조사 비교하였다. 참나무 톱밥 80%+미강 20%의 기질이 우수한 균사생장, 균사밀도, 자실체 생산량, 생물학적 효율을 보여 종균용 기질로써 적합하였다. 이러한 기질 조성의 적합성은 병재배법을 이용하는 농가에서 3개 노루궁뎅이버섯 균주를 사용하여 행한 실증실험에서 입증되었다. 그러나 봉지재배법을 이용한 농가 실증시험에서는 면자각 40%+참나무 톱밥 40% 기질에 옥수수 및 미강을 각각 10%씩 영양원으로 첨가한 기질에서 자실체 생산 및 생물학적 효율이 우수한 것으로 나타났다. This study was carried out to investigate the suitability of various agricultural by-products as basal substrates for the mycelial growth and fruiting body formation of Hericium erinaceum. For this aim, oak sawdust, cotton waste, sugarcane bagasse, Job's tears, rice hull, Chinese cabbage, and coconut waste were used as sole or mixed substrate(s). Corn waste and rice bran were used as nutrient supplements. The growth and density of mycelium, yield of fruiting body, and biological efficiency were compared among tested substrates colonized by Hericium erinaceum. The best measurement of mycelial growth and density, yield of fruiting body, and biological efficiency in a laboratory test was found in a spawn substrate composed with oak sawdust 80% and rice bran 20%. The suitability of this spawn substrate composition for Hericium fruiting body production was testified through practical tests in plastic bottles (850 ml) in a mushroom farm which had bottle cultivation facility. However, test in a mushroom farm which had plastic bag cultivation facility, best production of Hericium fruiting body (520 g per one bag) was observed in a spawn substrate composed of cotton waste 40%, saw dust 40%, corn waste 10%, and rice bran 10%.

Effect of Spawn Run Time and Substrate Nutrition on Yield and Size of the Shiitake Mushroom

Effect of Spawn Run Time and Substrate Nutrition on Yield and Size of the Shiitake Mushroom

Visual discrimination by the spraying characid, Copeina arnoldi Regan

Visual discrimination by male spraying characids, Copeina arnoldi, during spawn splashing was studied. Apparently the spawn is not used per se in directing parental splashing. Males discriminated between the standard 12·7-cm disc and a square, a triangle, a white disc, and a small disc in successive and/or simultaneous presentations. They did not discriminate between the standard disc and a large disc in succession, nor between the standard (green) disc and a white disc presented simultaneously. Although they can discriminate between objects differing in shape, colour, and/or brightness, these are probably not the major cues used in nature for selecting the spawn substrate from other proximal stimuli. However, large size differences may be important in spawn substrate discrimination.