Suitability of grain substrates and cereal bran additives for spawnproduction of Lentinula edodes (Berk Pegler.)

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of organic additives on spawn growth of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes). Different substrates for spawn preparation were tested, including wheat, pearl millet, barley, soybean and maize grains, each supplemented with organic additives at three different concentrations (2, 4 and 6%). The organic additives used were three types of cereal bran: wheat bran, rice bran, and corn cob powder and observations were recorded. Data revealed that the maximum mean mycelial run rate was in spawn prepared in wheat grain and supplemented with corncob powder (2.05 mm/day) at 6 per cent as additive which were significantly superior among all other treatments followed by maize grain (2.03 mm/day) at 6 per cent as compare to grains without organic additives.  The mycelial run rate ranged between 0.50 to 2.77 mm/day. Maximum MRR was observed in wheat grain supplemented with corncob powder (2.77 mm/day) up to 10 days of incubation and thereafter it started to decline. Lowest mycelial run rate was recorded on soybean grains without additive (0.50 mm/day) after 60 days of incubation. It was concluded from the experimental trials that supplementation of corncob at 6 per cent concentration gave maximum mycelial growth on wheat grain as compared to other additives and control. It was also concluded that spawn growth enhanced with supplementation of all additives.