Wood decomposition activity of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) isolate in situ

Abstract

 The purpose of the research was to examine the decomposition rate of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and aspen (Populus tremula) logs after an oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) infection as well as the effect of fruit body formation on the chemical composition of wood. The highest mean value of biological efficiency (B.E.) was found on beech logs (29.05%), but relatively high values of B.E. were recorded also on aspen logs (21.69%). The average content of N was about 37% higher in inoculated logs than in the control (not inoculated) ones. The ash content was about 90% higher in inoculated logs. The content of the mineral elements Ca, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Al, B, and Mg had an increasing tendency in inoculated logs compared with control ones. The logs with minimal production of fruit bodies had the highest content of the mineral elements Pb, Al, Fe, Mg and P.