The Effect of Selected Cultivation Factors on the Growth of Mycelium of Pleurotus cystidiosus Miller

Abstract

Pleurotus cystidiosus occurs in natural areas in North America. Its carpophores are characterized by a slightly sweet and mild taste. Fruiting bodies of P. cystidiosus are valued as source of nutrients and biologically active substances. The aim of the study was the selection of the optimal incubation temperature and the best substrate for the fastest mycelium growth. Two cultivars of P. cystidiosus – B1 and B122 was taken. Incubation of mycelium was performed in the temperature range from 15 to 30 °C. The influence of a substrate made of wheat straw, hemp shives and energetic grasses – Panicum virgatum and Miscanthus × giganteus. The experiment compared the growth of mycelium on a substrate with wheat straw (control sample) and with wheat straw and the addition of hemp shives and energetic grass in increasing amounts: 10, 20 and 30%. It has been shown that the growth of mycelium of tested strains on different substrates varied. The best growth of mycelium occurred on the substrate with wheat straw and the addition of hemp shives, P. virgatum and M. × giganteus in the amounts of 20% and 30%. The temperature of incubation also had a significant impact on the growth of the mycelium of P. cystidiosus. The optimal temperature was 25 °C. An investigation of the mutual dependence between morphological and qualitative characteristics of the type of agar medium allows optimization of the production of P. cystidiosus. The development of a low-cost and simple method for the production of P. cystidiosus can contribute to the introduction of this species into intensive cultivation. Use of waste materials in mushroom production will significantly increase the profitability of crops and reduce their costs.