Determination of the effects of different substrate formulations on yield and some quality characteristics in enoki mushroom flammulina velutipes cultivation

This study was carried out at Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture to investigate the effects of different substrates on yield, quality and production times in enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) cultivation. Mushroom cultivation is considered as a technology that transforms waste into valuable food. Mushroom cultivation is an important technology in terms of sustainable agriculture and waste management. In this study, nine different substrate formulations were prepared using locally available wastes such as cotton gin waste, poplar sawdust, wheat bran and compost. The physicochemical properties (moisture, pH, organic matter, C/N ratio) and growth parameters (mycelial growth duration, primordium formation, yield, biological efficiency-BE, protein and mineral content) of the substrates were investigated. According to the results, mycelial growth duration was shorter (24-26 days) in substrates containing cotton gin waste and longer (31-33 days) in those containing sawdust. Substrates containing 100% cotton gin waste and 80% cotton gin waste + 20% wheat bran gave the highest yield (197.05 g/kg and 185.74 g/kg, respectively) and BE (69.27% and 58.20%, respectively). However, protein content (20.95-27.58%, respectively) was relatively low in these substrates. In contrast, the substrate containing 80% sawdust + 15% bran + 5% cellulose offered the highest protein content (52.85%), but was disadvantageous in terms of yield and mushroom weight. Compost-based substrates did not favour mycelial growth. In terms of mineral contents, mushrooms grown on substrates containing sawdust had high levels of phosphorus, potassium and microelements. The mineral contents of the mushrooms varied according to the substrates, especially potassium (27.581-39.761 mg/kg) and phosphorus (7.194-12.499 mg/kg). The study revealed that substrate selection significantly affected yield, quality and production time in enoki cultivation. Local sources such as cotton gin waste were found to be suitable for high yields, but substrate optimisation was needed to increase protein and mineral content. These findings provide important contributions for sustainable mushroom cultivation and utilisation of agricultural wastes.