Effect of Casing Layer on Growth Promotion of the Edible Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 2008-03-31
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Summary
This research investigated how different soil treatments affect oyster mushroom growth and production. Scientists found that leaving natural soil bacteria intact, rather than sterilizing the soil, significantly improved mushroom yields and accelerated growth. The study highlights the important relationship between beneficial soil microorganisms and mushroom cultivation.
Impacts on everyday life:
• Better understanding of natural growing conditions could lead to improved mushroom farming techniques
• More efficient mushroom production could reduce costs for consumers
• Knowledge of beneficial soil microbes supports sustainable agricultural practices
• Findings could help small-scale mushroom growers improve their yields
• Research supports development of more natural cultivation methods
Background
The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is one of the most widely cultivated mushrooms globally, second only to the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). While microorganisms are known to promote mushroom growth, particularly in casing layers, the specific role of fluorescent Pseudomonas in P. ostreatus cultivation is not well understood. The casing layer serves multiple functions including triggering fruiting body formation and maintaining moisture levels.
Objective
To investigate the role of bacteria isolated from casing layer soil in fruiting body induction of P. ostreatus and compare microbial populations and mushroom production between sterilized and non-sterilized casing layers.
Results
The non-sterilized casing layer produced significantly higher mushroom yields (2,967g) compared to sterilized (1,501g) and control (950g) conditions. Fruiting body formation occurred 6-9 days earlier in non-sterilized casing layers. Higher populations of total bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and particularly fluorescent Pseudomonas were found in non-sterilized versus sterilized casing layers. The bacterial community composition varied between treatments, with Bordetella dominant in bulk soil, Flavobacterium in sterilized soil, and fluorescent Pseudomonas in non-sterilized soil.
Conclusion
Specific bacterial populations in the casing layer, particularly fluorescent Pseudomonas, play an important role in primordia formation and basidiome development in P. ostreatus. Non-sterilized casing layers containing natural microbial populations significantly enhanced mushroom production yields compared to sterilized conditions.
- Published in:Mycobiology,
- Study Type:Experimental Study,
- Source: 10.4489/MYCO.2008.36.1.040