Summary auto-generated
This study investigated how the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum affects growth and yield of the cultivated button mushroom Agaricus bisporus in composted substrate. Researchers found that mycelial growth of A. bisporus on sterilized compost was significantly stimulated by pre-incubating the compost with S. thermophilum, increasing growth rates from 3-4 mm/day to approximately 8 mm/day. This stimulatory effect was not species-specific, affecting multiple mushroom species and occurring regardless of which S. thermophilum strain was used. The study demonstrated a positive relationship between S. thermophilum density in experimental composts and mushroom yield. S. thermophilum also protected mushroom mycelium from growth inhibition caused by certain bacteria like Bacillus licheniformis, indicating its role in 'compost selectivity.' During mushroom colonization, S. thermophilum populations gradually declined as A. bisporus mycelium expanded, eventually becoming undetectable. The results suggest S. thermophilum provides a growth-promoting trigger for mushroom mycelium through an unknown mechanism, improving both colonization rates and final mushroom production.
Key findings
- Sterilized compost pre-incubated with S. thermophilum supported A. bisporus growth rates of ~8 mm/day, comparable to non-sterile compost, versus only 3-4 mm/day on sterilized compost alone
- A positive logarithmic relationship exists between S. thermophilum particle density and A. bisporus mushroom yield across experimental composting trials
- S. thermophilum protects A. bisporus mycelium from growth inhibition caused by compost bacteria, demonstrating its role in compost selectivity
- The growth-promoting effect is non-species specific, affecting multiple mushroom species and different S. thermophilum strains
- S. thermophilum is inactivated and displaced as A. bisporus mycelium colonizes compost, declining from 100% to undetectable levels during the incubation period
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Abstract
SUMMARY: Mycelial growth of Agaricus bisporus on sterilized compost is strongly stimulated by pre-incubating the compost with the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum. This stimulatory effect is not species specific, for either A. bisporus or S. thermophilum. Normal mushroom compost is almost completely colonized with S. thermophilum. In experimental composts a positive relation was found between the logarithm of mushroom yield of A. bisporusand the density of S. thermophilum. S. thermophilum provides for compost selectivity: it protects against negative effects of compost bacteria on mycelial growth of A. bisporus. S. thermophilum is inactivated by the growth of A. bisporusmycelium.