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Biochemical, physicochemical property and archaea community characteristics in casing soil of cultivating Stropharia rugosoannulata

Summary

This study examined how soil changes during the five growth stages of king stropharia mushrooms. Researchers measured soil properties, enzyme activity, and identified archaeal microorganisms present in the soil. They found that soil chemistry and microbial communities changed predictably during mushroom development, with certain beneficial archaea being more active at specific growth stages. These findings can help farmers optimize growing conditions and reduce contamination problems in mushroom production.

Background

Stropharia rugosoannulata is an edible mushroom rich in minerals and antioxidant compounds. Soil-covering cultivation is a common production method that changes environmental conditions to promote fruiting. Understanding soil characteristics and microbial communities during cultivation is important for optimizing production and reducing contamination.

Objective

To evaluate enzyme activities, physicochemical properties, nutrient indicators, and archaeal community characteristics in casing soil during five cultivation stages of Stropharia rugosoannulata. The study aimed to elucidate the micro-ecological mechanisms underlying substrate conversion efficiency and pathogen suppression.

Results

Enzyme activities showed stage-specific patterns with sucrase activity decreasing then increasing and urease activity peaking at stage A4. Soil pH decreased to 7.130 at harvest while organic matter increased to 8.357 g/kg. A total of 2193 archaeal OTUs from 10 genera across 6 phyla were identified, with archaeal diversity increasing progressively. Key ammonia-oxidizing archaea including Nitrosarchaeum and Candidatus Nitrososphaera showed abundance peaks at specific developmental stages.

Conclusion

Archaeal communities in casing soil undergo stage-specific succession with rapid turnover during early cultivation stages and stabilization during fruiting. Soil organic matter content is the primary factor influencing archaeal community structure. Key functional archaea contribute to nutrient cycling and substrate efficiency, providing insights for optimizing sustainable mushroom production practices.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41450951, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1686476
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