Investigation of the effects of wood dust obtained from some trees on the mycelial development of lentinula edodes

Macrofungi are organisms belonging to the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota divisions of the fungal kingdom, characterized by their visibly detectable fruiting bodies. They play a highly important role in forest ecosystems. By decomposing organic matter, they support nutrient cycling, contribute to the carbon and nitrogen cycles, and promote plant growth through mycorrhizal associations. Macrofungi break down fallen wood, leaves, and other organic debris, returning essential nutrients to the soil, which is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and enhancing forest resilience. In addition, many macrofungus species form symbiotic relationships with plants, increasing their nutrient uptake and stress resistance, thereby playing a critical role in maintaining forest health. Beyond their ecological functions, macrofungi are also of great importance in various sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Used in both traditional medicine and modern pharmacology, macrofungi offer a wide range of applications due to their nutritional value and bioactive compounds. Species such as Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler (shiitake) and Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. (reishi) are particularly known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects. Compounds like beta-glucans and triterpenoids are being extensively studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the study and cultivation of macrofungi are becoming increasingly important not only for nutritional and medicinal applications but also for the development of sustainable agricultural practices and innovative biotechnological solutions. Investigating the factors that affect the growth and distribution of macrofungi is essential to understanding their diversity and ecological functions. In this study, the effect of wood dust obtained from Walnut (Juglans regia L.), Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.), Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.), Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), and Hairy Oak (Quercus cerris L.) trees using a high-speed laboratory grinder on the mycelial growth of Lentinula edodes was investigated. The wood dust was added to Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium at specific concentrations. In the control group, no wood dust was added; only mycelium was inoculated. Petri dishes with a diameter of 9 cm were used in the experiments. Mycelial growth was measured periodically using Fiji software and quantified spatially. The experiments were conducted in triplicate. The obtained data were evaluated using SPSS software through variance analysis and ANOVA testing. The data were analyzed using Two-Way ANOVA, considering both main effects (tree species and gram concentration) and the interaction between these two factors. To determine statistically significant differences between groups, the Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) post-hoc test was applied. Assumptions of variance analysis were checked: the homogeneity of variances was tested using Levene's test, and the normality of residuals was evaluated with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test supported by Monte Carlo simulation (n = 10.000). At the end of the study, all wood powders used had a positive effect compared to the control group. The best development was in the group with oak wood powder. Oak wood powder addition was followed by walnut, beech, black mulberry and hornbeam wood powder additions, respectively. As a result, it was determined that oak wood powder addition to the medium could be used in mycelial development. Keywords: Shiitake, Pure Culture, Potato Dextrose Agar, Wood dust