Evaluation of the Influence of Varied Juncao Grass Substrates on Physiological and Enzymatic Reactions of Pleurotus ostreatus.

Pleurotus ostreutus is one of the world's most commonly consumed mushrooms. The cultivation of mushrooms using wood resources usually results in environmental issues such as deforestation. Juncao grasses, namely (JJ) Cenchrus fungigraminus, (AR) Saccharum arundinaceum, and (MS) Miscanthus floridulus, supplemented with 20% wheat brain, 1% ground coffee, 1% gysum, and 1% lime, were used as the culture mediums in this research, which offers a composting system with a simple formulation that is cheap and feasible for small farms to use in cultivating oyster mushrooms. The present study assessed the different juncao grasses as substrates for growing Pleurotus ostreatus given their enzyme activities, growth, and yields. The results demonstrated that the yields of pleurotus ostreatus grown on JJ, AR, and MS substrates were significantly different at the level of 0.05 and were recorded as follows: 159.2 g/bag, 132 g/bag, and 65.1 g/bag on average, respectively. The biological efficiency of Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated in three different substrates was 75.2%, 63.4%, and 28.7%, respectively. Lignin peroxidase (LiP) was the most active enzyme in each culture material among the other enzyme activities expressed differently between the substrate and growing stages. At the same time, other enzyme activities were differently expressed between the substrate and different developmental stages. Nutrient analysis revealed significant variations, with differences in polysaccharides, proteins, and amino acids among substrates, as well as the presence of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium in all samples within safe limits. The obtained results indicated that Saccharum arundinaceum is a good substrate in place of Cenchrus fungigraminus, and that using Miscanthus floridulus is not productive. Moreover, the juncao grasses offer a sustainable approach that reduces reliance on wood-based substrates and enhances environmental sustainability.

Exploring Ganoderma lucidum: morphology, cultivation and market potential.

Ganoderma lucidum, known as the "mushroom of immortality," is a white rot fungus renowned for its medicinal properties, attributed to its bioactive compounds. Although species with similar morphological traits to G. lucidum are found across the globe, precise identification is made possible through DNA barcoding and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Global cultivation and wild harvesting of G. lucidum are both done in response to the growing market needs. Artificial cultivation is typically performed on sawdust, but other woody substrates and the wood log method are also employed. This cultivation leverages the fungus's ecological role in converting industrial and agricultural solid wastes into biomass, thereby producing functional food and potential pharmaceutical sources. The review consolidates research on various aspects of, including cultivation methods (sawdust, agricultural waste, wood logs, and submerged fermentation), and the current global market conditions.

Utilization of local agro-industrial by-products based substrates to enhance production and dietary value of mushroom (P. ostreatus) in Ethiopia.

Food insecurity and malnutrition are serious problems in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. This situation warrants an urgent need for the diversification of food sources with enhanced productivity. This study was aimed at contributing to the food security in Ethiopia through cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms using sustainable and locally available agro-industrial byproduct-based substrates in parallel with pollution control. Ten substrates were prepared using sugarcane bagasse, filter cake, trash, cotton seed hull and animal waste, namely cow dung and horse and chicken manure. The effect of each substrate (treatment) on the yields, biological efficiency, nutritional composition, and mineral contents of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom species was evaluated at the Ethiopian Forest Products Innovation Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The results obtained indicate that a significantly higher (p < 0.05) yield and biological efficiency were recorded from the mushroom cultivated on S2 substrate containing a mixture of 80% sugarcane bagasse, 12% cow dung, and 8% cotton seed hull. Moreover, substrate containing sugarcane bagasse mixed with cotton seed hull, cow dung, and chicken manure significantly (p < 0.05) increased the yields and biological efficiency of the mushroom. The content of protein, crude fat, fiber, and carbohydrates of the mushroom cultivated from all the utilized substrates were in the range of 17.30-21.5, 1.77-2.52, 31.03-34.38, and 28.02-39.74%, respectively. The critical macro-elements are abundant in the mushroom in the order of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. The mushrooms cultivated on all the substrates were rich in essential micro-elements in the order of iron and zinc. It was found that substrate preparation and formulation significantly (p < 0.05) improved the yields, biological efficiency, nutritive values, and mineral contents of the mushroom. The use of these by-products as substrates is sustainable and environmentally friendly and allows the production of mushroom with high nutritional value on a sustainable basis in order to enhance food security in the country.

Substrate level optimization for better yield of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) production, using different ratio of rice straw and sugarcane bagasse.

Mushroom cultivation has been identified as a cost-effective technique for converting lignocellulosic wastes. This study utilized a combination of two distinct agro-wastes as a substrate for better Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation. Oyster mushroom has been cultivated on substrates made up of rice straw and sugarcane bagasse with different ratios. This technique gives a significant difference between mycelium running, fruit body formation, yield, biological efficiency, and better-quality taste of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom. A minimum of 19 days were required for 1st harvesting from bag number T4 where substrate ratio was used at 3:2. The maximum yield was found as T4 (886 g/kg) in bag number on the dry substrate from the first flushing. According to proximate analyses, protein contents were increased in treatment bags compared with the control. Anyhow, the enrichment of L-glutamine content in the fruit body was found at 11.8 mg/g from 1st flushing in T4 bag, among the other bags and the flavour was changed due to the substrate level composition. According to the study, 3:2 is an ideal substrate ratio for the development of oyster mushrooms cultivation. According to this ratio, it helps the farmer for minimum time to grow the mushroom fruit body and reduce the lignocellulosic waste materials from the environmental pollution along with increasing the flavour in the fruitbody compared with commonly produced mushroom substrate (T6). Therefore, more research should be conducted to assess the consequences of combining different substrates and decreasing the lignocellulosic biomass by converting a protein-rich edible product through the oyster mushroom.

Organic residues from agricultural and forest companies in Brazil as useful substrates for cultivation of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus.

We investigated whether highly available organic residues in Brazil can be used as substrates for the production of the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, instead of the conventional cultivation using the eucalyptus sawdust substrate. We assessed the mushroom yield on 13 substrates, of which 12 were formulated with different concentrations of organic residues and one with pure eucalyptus sawdust, and verified whether the raw material used in the substrate formula and the concentration of such alternative residues influenced their biological efficiencies. Substrates containing eucalyptus bark resulted in higher mushroom yield than those containing eucalyptus sawdust, which generally resulted in similar mushroom yield to the remaining formulas. Moreover, the raw material and the concentration of each residue affected the biological efficiency of the substrates. We show that the conventional substrate for P. ostreatus can be replaced by substrates easily accessible to producers without loss in productivity. Furthermore, that the concentration of these mixtures affects the mushroom productivity and should be considered when formulating the growth medium.

Enhanced growth and yield of oyster mushroom by growth-promoting bacteria Glutamicibacter arilaitensis MRC119.

Promotion of mushroom growth by means of biological agents replacing chemicals is an emerging and highly demanded issue in the sector of mushroom cropping. The present study was aimed to search for a novel bacterium potentially able to enhance mushroom growth and yield. A total of 2165 bacterial isolates purified from different samples were scrutinized through various growth-promoting attributes. As a consequence of rigorous screening, 26 isolates found exhibiting positive traits of mushroom growth promotion. Thereafter, in response to the cocultivation (fungus and bacteria), a potent bacterial strain was isolated capable to improve significantly the mycelial growth. In cocultivation the highest radial and linear growth rate was 7.6 and 8.1 mm/day on 10th and 11th days, respectively. The fruitbody yields and biological efficiency (BE) of the inoculated sets were 28% and 58% higher than the uninoculated control sets. The bacterium was molecularly identified based on 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and confirmed as Glutamicibacter arilaitensis MRC119. Therefore, the bioinoculant of the current bacterium can be potentially useful as an ecofriendly substitute stimulating the production of mushroom fruit bodies with improved BE.

Impact of a native Streptomyces flavovirens from mushroom compost on green mold control and yield of Agaricus bisporus.

Thirty-five actinobacterial isolates, obtained from button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) substrates (i.e., compost in different phases of composting, black peat or casing layer) in Serbia in 2014-2016 were tested in vitro against the causal agents of green mold in cultivated mushroom. Out of six most promising isolates, A06 induced 42.4% in vitro growth inhibition of Trichoderma harzianum T54, and 27.6% inhibition of T. aggressivum f. europaeum T77. The novel strain A06 was identified as Streptomyces flavovirens based on macroscopic and cultural characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence and used in mushroom growing room experiments. Actinobacteria had no negative influence on mycelial growth of the cultivated mushroom in compost in situ. Isolate S. flavovirens A06 enhanced mushroom yield significantly, up to 31.5%. The A06 isolate was more efficient in enhancing yield after inoculation with the compost mold T. aggressivum (26.1%), compared to casing mold T. harzianum (8%). Considering disease incidence, actinobacteria significantly prevented green mold in compost caused by T. aggressivum (6.8%). However, fungicide prochloraz-Mn had a more significant role in reducing symptoms of casing mold, T. harzianum, in comparison with actinobacteria (24.2 and 11.8%, respectively). No significant differences between efficacies of S. flavovirens A06 and the fungicide prochloraz-Mn against T. aggressivum were revealed. These results imply that S. flavovirens A06 can be used to increase mushroom yield and contribute to disease control against the aggressive compost green mold disease caused by Trichoderma aggressivum.

Mediational influence of spent mushroom compost on phytoremediation of black-oil hydrocarbon polluted soil and response of Megathyrsus maximus Jacq.

Ability of a plant to develop different adaptive strategies can also determine its capability for effective soil remediation. In this study, influence of spent mushroom compost (SMC) was tested on the phytoremediation of black oil hydrocarbon polluted soil and the response of Megathyrsus maximus (guinea grass). Studies were carried out in microcosm conditions by mixing different concentration of SMC viz., 10, 20, 30 and 40% in a 5 kg of contaminated soil along with control. Seeds of M. maximus was sown in tray for two weeks and allowed to grow for height of 10 cm and transplanted in to the different experimental pots. Soil nutrient, heavy metal and PAH contents were analyzed before and after the experiment. Ecophysiological and anatomical responses due to the contaminants in the soil by M. Maximus were analyzed after 120 days. Phytomass efficiency, potential photosynthesis (Amax) and contents of chlorophylls (a and b) as well as the total chlorophyll along with anatomical evaluations were recorded. Plant alone (control) reduced the soil heavy metal and PAH contents but further improvements were observed in SMC treatments, similar results were also observed as regards to the plant's phytoremediation efficiency (PE), phytomass and potential photosynthetic rates (m mol O2 M-2S-1). The plant's root and shoot anatomical responses were enhanced in treatments compared to control, study infers that the treatment enhances the biostimulation and development of adaptive characteristics for M. maximus survival in contaminated soils and promotes its co-degradation of hydrocarbon. SMC supports remediation and as well enhances the anatomical evaluations, we therefore recommend the use of SMC on response of Megathyrsus maximus Jacq for remediation of petrochemical based phytoremediation.

Morphological and molecular characterization of yellow oyster mushroom, Pleurotus citrinopileatus, hybrids obtained by interspecies mating.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus (yellow oyster mushroom) has an attractive shape and yellow colour but the fragile texture complicates packaging, and its strong aroma is unappealing to consumers. This study aimed to improve the characteristics and yield of P. citrinopileatus by interspecies mating between monokaryotic cultures of P. citrinopileatus and P. pulmonarius. Ten monokaryon cultures of the parental lines were crossed in all combinations to obtain hybrids. Eleven compatible mating pairs were obtained and cultivated to observe their sporophore morphology and yield. The selected hybrid, i.e. P1xC9, was beige in colour while hybrid P3xC8 was yellow in colour. Their sporophores had less offensive aroma, improved texture and higher yield. The DNA sequences of these hybrids were found to be in the same clade as the P. citrinopileatus parent with a bootstrap value of 99%. High bootstrap values indicate high genetic homology between hybrids and the P. citrinopileatus parent. The biological efficiencies of these hybrids P1xC9 (70.97%) and P3xC8 (52.14%) were also higher than the P. citrinopileatus parent (35.63%). Interspecies hybrids obtained by this mating technique can lead to better strains of mushrooms for genetic improvement of the Pleurotus species.

Comparative Analysis of Main Agronomic Traits of Different Pleurotus giganteus Germplasm Resources.

Agronomic traits are key components in variety protection, cultivar development, and the formulation of DUS (distinct, uniform, and stable) test guidelines. P. giganteus is an increasingly popular and commercially promising edible macrofungi. In this study, both mycelial performance and fruiting body characters of 15 Pleurotus giganteus strains were investigated. The temperature gradient culture test indicated that, although most of the strains achieved optimal mycelial growth between 24 and 28 °C, a statistical difference in mycelial growth rates and temperature adaptability among strains were found, supporting that this trait has the potential to be adopted as an indicator in distinguishing strains. In the fruiting performance tests, the coefficient of variation (CV) of tested traits ranged from 5.30% (pileus diameter) to 18.70% (individual mushroom weight). The mushroom yields ranged from 103.37 g/bag (strain No. 15) to 275.76 g/bag (strain No. 9). The large divergence observed in individual mushroom weight tested strains, ranging from 40.88 g to 78.39 g (with median between 37.69 and 79.395 g), make it highly selective and a potential indicator in variety development. Strain No. 9 had the advantages of forming larger, heavier fruiting bodies and a more obvious funnel shape, which also exhibited the highest biological efficiency (15.61%). The results suggested some morphological traits showed high variety difference, such as pileus diameter (55.75 mm to 66.48 mm), stipe length (92.59 mm to 177.51 mm), stipe diameter (16.14 mm to 23.52 mm), and pileus thickness (13.38 mm to 19.75 mm). In the cluster analysis, the tested strains were grouped into four clusters based on agronomic traits: cluster Ⅰ comprised six strains (No. 6, No. 11, No. 8, No. 1, No. 14, and No. 9) with high mushroom yield; cluster Ⅱ included four strains (No. 3, No. 10, No. 7, and No. 4) with large pileus diameter and short stipe; cluster ⅡI consisted of four strains (No. 5, No. 12, No. 13, and No. 15) with relatively lower yields; and cluster Ⅳ included only strain No. 2 which was low in yield, individual mushroom weight, and biological efficiency, accompanied by smaller pileus size and shorter stipe. The results of the correlation analysis indicated three traits, including individual mushroom weight, stipe length, and pileus weight, were positively associated with high yield. This study suggested P. giganteus germplasm resources are of high abundance and their agronomic diversity is useful in distinguishing and developing different varieties. The findings of this work provide knowledge on the agronomic traits and cultivation performance of various P. giganteus strains, laying a foundation for the development of its DUS test guidelines and variety protection, as well as providing reference for the breeding and phenotype selection of high-quality cultivars.

Valorization of Ginkgo biloba Leaf Powder as a Substrate in King Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) Cultivation.

Ginkgo biloba is widely planted as a colorful foliage tree, and its leaf can be used as a biomass energy source, but it has been underutilized for a long time. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of garden waste as a substrate component in the cultivation process of the king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), with the goal of enhancing both the yield of P. eryngii and the efficiency of energy use. The percentages of G. biloba leaf powder in the substrate were 10.5% and 21% to replace sawdust or sugarcane bagasse in a typical substrate. A substrate formulation that could completely replace sawdust and sugarcane bagasse was selected by analyzing mycelial growth rate, days of production, fruiting body length, biological efficiency, yield, stipe thickness, pileus diameter and laccase activity. The results showed that Y1 (treatment with 21% G. biloba leaf powder and sugarcane bagasse) had the highest yield (303.1 ± 31.9 g), which was higher than that of CK (control) (259.3 ± 37.4 g). The crude fiber content of the samples grown on substrate Y1 (as 7.43%) was higher than CK (7.37%). In addition, P. eryngii grown on substrate Y1 had the highest laccase activity for the complete colonization of the mycelium. Thus, these findings suggest that G. biloba leaf powder represents a viable and economical supplement for enhancing both the yield and quality of P. eryngii.

Biological Characteristics, Artificial Domestication Conditions Optimization, and Bioactive Components of Beauveria caledonica.

In this study, one strain of Beauveria caledonica was isolated from wild fruiting bodies collected from Guizhou Province, China, and its species identification, biological characteristics, domestication, and cultivation methods were studied along with polysaccharide and adenosine content analysis. The mycelia were identified by ITS sequencing, and the fruiting bodies of B. caledonica were domestically cultivated for the first time using wheat and rice as basic cultivation media. The carbon sources, nitrogen sources, cultivation temperatures, and pH for mycelial growth were optimized through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) experiments. The polysaccharide content was detected by the phenol-sulfuric acid method, and the adenosine content was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results confirmed that the identified mycelia were B. caledonica. The optimum medium for solid culture was 25.8 g/L glycerol, 10.9 g/L yeast extract, 1 g/L MgSO4·7H2O, 1 g/L KH2PO4, 10 mg/L vitamin B1, and 20 g/L agar; the optimum pH was 6.5, and the optimum culture temperature was 25 °C. The optimal liquid culture medium was 26.2 g/L glycerol, 11.1 g/L yeast extract, 1 g/L MgSO4·7H2O, 1 g/L KH2PO4, and 10 mg/L vitamin B1; the mycelia grew well at pH 6.6 and 25 °C. The average biological efficiencies of fruiting bodies on wheat and rice as culture media were 1.880% and 2.115%, respectively; the polysaccharide contents of fruiting bodies on the two media were 6.635% and 9.264%, respectively, while the adenosine contents were 0.145% and 0.150%, respectively. This study provides a valuable reference for further artificial cultivation and utilization of B. caledonica by investigating its biological characteristics, cultivation conditions for artificial domestication, and polysaccharide and adenosine contents in cultivated fruiting bodies.

Evaluation of Burma Reed as Substrate for Production of Pleurotus eryngii.

Burma reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana), a giant C4 grass, was included in substrate at the rates of 0, 20, 40 and 66 % to partially or wholly substitute sawdust and cottonseed hulls to evaluate its suitability for Pleurotus eryngii cultivation. Inclusion of 20 and 40 % Burma reed did not significantly affect linear mycelial growth, dry matter loss, spawn run period and fructification, and achieved high fruiting body yields and biological efficiency of 336.67 g/bag, 67.33 % and 342.15 g/bag, 68.43 %, respectively, which were not significantly different from 350.08 g/bag to 70.02 % obtained from the control substrate. Enzyme assay revealed that on the mixed substrates laccase and manganese peroxidase activity were significantly enhanced, but cellulase was significantly reduced in the middle stage of incubation as compared with the control substrate. Even on Burma reed substrate without sawdust and cottonseed hulls, fruiting body yield (313.56 g/bag) and biological efficiency (62.71 %) were satisfactory, although significantly lower than that on the control substrate. Therefore, Burma reed was a promising potential substrate for P. eryngii production to largely substitute sawdust and cottonseed hulls.

Substrate Optimization for Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler) Mushroom Production in Ethiopia.

Edible mushrooms are seen as a way of increasing dietary diversity and achieving food security in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to develop substrates using locally available agro-industrial by-products and animal manures to enhance the production of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushrooms in Ethiopia. The hypothesis was L. edodes mushroom production on seven different substrates: 100% sugarcane bagasse (S1), 80% sugarcane bagasse, 20% cow dung (S2), horse manure (S3), chicken manure (S4), cottonseed hulls (S5), sugarcane filter cake (S6), and sugarcane trash (S7). Mushroom yield and biological efficiency were significantly affected by substrate type (p < 0.05). A significantly higher yield (434.33 g/500 g of substrate) and biological efficiency (86.83%) were obtained using substrate S4 while lower yield (120.33 g/500 g) and biological efficiency (24.33%) were obtained using substrate S7 than when using other substrates. The largest first flush of mushrooms was obtained on S4, and five flushes were produced on this substrate. S4 also had the highest biological efficiency, the highest nitrogen content, and the lowest C:N. Chicken manure is rich in nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which are crucial for Shiitake mushroom growth. Thus, substrate S4 would be a viable option for cultivating Shiitake mushrooms, particularly in regions where chicken manure is readily available. Substrate S2 also provided high yields and rapid fructification and would be a suitable alternative for Shiitake mushroom cultivation.

Performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on paddy straw, water hyacinth and their combinations.

This study aimed to investigate the performance of oyster mushrooms on different substrate combinations, including rice straw alone, rice straw and water hyacinth (1:1), rice straw and water hyacinth (1:2), and rice straw and water hyacinth (2:1), in Pokhara, Kaski from April to June in 2022. A Completely Randomized Design with four replications was used to analyze the growth and yield parameters of the four different substrate combinations. The data were analyzed using R-Studio. Highly significant results (P > 0.001) were found in all growth and yield parameters. The best response in terms of days to colonization, pinhead formation, and total crop duration was observed with rice straw alone (11.5, 13.25, and 54.00 days, respectively). The stipe length, pileus diameter, and fruiting body per bunch had their highest values (3.44 cm, 5.21 cm, and 34.50 cm, respectively) with rice straw alone, followed by rice straw and water hyacinth in a 2:1 ratio (3.05 cm, 4.63 cm, and 34.25 cm, respectively). The maximum total fresh yield of mushrooms (1.53 kg with 153.16% BE) was observed for rice straw alone, followed by rice straw and water hyacinth in a 2:1 ratio (1.17 kg with 116.5% BE), while the poorest yield (0.76 kg with 76.38% BE) was observed in the case of rice straw and water hyacinth in a 1:2 ratio. The highest profitability was observed for mushroom production using rice straw alone with a B:C ratio of 1.24, followed by using rice straw and water hyacinth in a 2:1 ratio (1.03), while the lowest B:C ratio was observed for rice straw and water hyacinth in a 1:2 ratio (0.74). Overall, the best treatment was found to be rice straw alone, followed by rice straw and water hyacinth in a 2:1 ratio. These results suggest that using rice straw alone or in combination with water hyacinth in a 2:1 ratio can be an effective strategy for oyster mushroom cultivation.

Applicability of the use of waste from different banana cultivars for the cultivation of the oyster mushroom.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus- (Jacq.: Fr.) Kumm. cultivation in substrates based on different combinations of wastes (leaf, pseudo-stem and pseudo-stem + leaf) and banana cultivars - Musa spp. (Thap Maeo, Prata AnãPelipita and Caipira) during 49 days. Organic matter loss in the substrate by action of the fungus was also evaluated during that period. It was verified that the pseudo-stem waste provided the best averages of biological efficiency among all cultivars tested and best rates were obtained by Thap Maeo (61.5%). The highest organic matter loss (OML) was obtained from pseudo-stem + leaf wastes (Prata Anã 78.6%; Thap Maeo - 67.6%; Pelipita - 64.8%; Caipira - 60.6%). Therefore, the use of those wastes showed itself viable for P. ostreatus cultivation due to its availability and low cost, besides decreasing discards to environment.

Influence of substrate formulation on some morphometric characters and biological efficiency of Pleurotus ostreatus EM-1 (Ex. Fr) Kummer grown on rice wastes and "wawa" (Triplochiton scleroxylon) sawdust in Ghana.

A study was conducted to correlate the stipe length, cap diameter, and growth yield (fresh weight) of the fruiting body of Pleurotus ostreatus strain EM-1 using different rice lignocellulosic wastes and "wawa" (Triplochiton scleroxylon) compost: raw unamended rice straw; rice straw amended with 1% CaCO3 and 10% CaCO3; rice straw amended with 1% CaCO3 and 10% CaCO3 supplemented with 5, 10, and 15% rice bran prior to bagging; rice straw and rice husk mixture (1:1 w/w) amended with 1% CaCO3 and 10% CaCO3 supplemented with 5%-15% rice bran prior to bagging; and wawa sawdust amended with 1% CaCO3 and 10% rice bran. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design in a well-ventilated semi-dark room at 26-28°C and 60%-65% ERH. The fresh weight, length of the stipe, and cap diameter increased differentially in each treatment with an increasing period of composting in the substrates. There was a good coefficient of determination (R 2) among stipe length, cap diameter, and biological efficiency (%). The R 2 among stipe length, cap diameter, and biological efficiency for the different formulated substrates ranged between R 2 = 0.6346-0.9454 and R 2 = 0.570-0.9624, respectively. The highest R 2 was obtained on raw unamended rice straw substrates (stipe length and cap diameter were R 2 = 0.9454 and R 2 = 0.9444, respectively), whereas the lowest correlation coefficient among stipe length, cap diameter, and biological efficiency (%) (R 2 = 0.6346; R 2 = 0.0570), respectively, was recorded on the rice straw and rice husk mixture substrates. The results show a positive correlation in morphometric growth parameters studied on the different formulated substrates.

Aqueous Extracts of Lemon Basil Straw as Chemical Stimulator for Gray Oyster Mushroom Cultivation.

To reduce the burning of lemon basil straw (LBS)-the byproduct of basil seed production-we propose utilizing LBS as a replacement substrate for mushroom cultivation. LBS can stimulate both mycelial growth and percentage biological efficiency; however, the rigidity of this material limits particle size reduction. In this work, aqueous extractions were facilely performed without using either hazardous chemicals or complex procedures to valorize LBS as a stimulator for gray oyster mushroom cultivation. An aqueous extraction at solid-to-liquid of 50 g/L was employed. The macerated-LBS and decocted-LBS extracts were tested for mycelial growth in potato dextrose agar and sorghum grains. Following this, both aqueous extracts were applied as a wetting agent in cylindrical baglog cultivation to estimate mycelial growth, biological efficiency, and productivity. It was found that LBS extracts insignificantly enhanced the mycelia growth rate on all media, while the diluted LBS (1:1 v/v) extracts improved 1.5-fold of percentage biological efficiency. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer results indicated 9-octadecaenamide is a major component in LBS aqueous extract. Results demonstrated that the LBS extract is a good stimulator for the production of Pleurotus mushroom.

Evaluation of biological and economic efficiency of the All Heifer, No Cow beef production system using a system dynamics model based on 6 yr of demonstration herd data.

Alternative management strategies with no cows and all heifers may improve biological and economic efficiency of beef production. The All Heifer, No Cow (AHNC) beef production system involves insemination of nulliparous heifers with female sex-selected semen (FSS) to produce primarily female calves that are early weaned at 3 mo of age. Dams are finished on a high concentrate diet and harvested before 30 mo of age. The objectives of this research were to: 1) build a dynamic model of an AHNC beef production system to quantify system biological and economic efficiency; 2) compare effects of utilizing FSS vs. conventional semen on biological and economic efficiency; 3) evaluate what-if scenarios to determine the effects on biological and economic efficiency of changing variables ±5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% from initial observed values; and 4) evaluate the effects on biological and economic efficiency of changing variables ±10% from initial observed values. A model was built over a 21-yr horizon using Stella Architect. Biological parameter values in the model were based on the 6 yr of data collected from the management of an AHNC demonstration herd. In the model animal, total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake, hot carcass weight (HCW), and age at harvest were randomized. Feed, animal, and carcass prices included in the model were based on 10 yr of historical U.S. price data. Key response variables were biological and economic efficiency (mean ± SD). Biological efficiency was defined as the ratio of output (kilograms of HCW produced) to input (lifetime kilograms of feed TDN consumed), and economic efficiency was measured using a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and unit variable cost (UVC). Over 40 simulation runs, the predicted mean biological efficiency was 0.0714 ± 0.0008. Economic efficiency was 0.95 ± 0.02 and US $445.41 ± 0.06 for BCR and UVC, respectively. Biological and economic efficiency was improved in the conventional semen scenario; biological efficiency was 0.0738 ± 0.0008, and BCR and UVC were 0.99 ± 0.04 and US $407.24 ± 0.006, respectively. Under this parameterization and market conditions, the AHNC beef production system failed to achieve profitability under any scenario that was evaluated. However, this review did not account for the potential increased genetic benefit from a decreased generation interval and the reduction in feed energy in comparison to a conventional cow/calf system.

Evaluation of waste paper for cultivation of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) with some added supplementary materials.

Mushroom cultivation is an economically feasible bio-technological process for conversion of various lignocellulosic wastes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran for oyster mushroom cultivation. Pure culture of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) Kummer) was purchased from YB Plant Micropropagation Plc; Mekelle, Ethiopia. Then, the pure culture was used as inoculum for spawn preparation using sorghum prepared in Microbiology laboratory, Department of Biology, Aksum University. Waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran with 0%, 25% and 50% were prepared. The substrates were mixed with the spawn that has been inoculated with pure culture of oyster mushroom aseptically for their productivity and biological efficiency (BE) for cultivation of P. ostreatus mushroom. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Higher (26.20 ± 19.36) mean weight, pileus diameter (7.90 ± 2.66 cm), total yield (646.4 ± 273.1 g) and BE (64.64 ± 273%) were obtained from waste paper (50%) supplemented with cornstalk (25%) and wheat bran (25%). And lower (17.92 ± 81.95%) BE were obtained from waste paper (100%). Moreover, the highest (3.88 ± 0.32 cm) mean stalk length was obtained from waste paper (50%) supplemented with corn stalk (50%). This study revealed that waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran resulted in high BE and total yield. Thus, utilization of waste paper appears to be a promising alternative for the cultivation of oyster mushroom when supplemented with other substrates.