Novel chia (Salvia Hispanica L.) residue-based substrate formulations for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation
Researchers discovered that leftover plant material from chia seed production can be used to grow oyster mushrooms with excellent nutritional value. When chia residues were combined with rice straw in the right proportions, they produced mushrooms with higher protein content, more beneficial compounds, and better yields than traditional growing methods. This finding helps solve two problems at once: it creates a valuable use for chia farming waste while producing highly nutritious mushrooms for human consumption.