Spawn production is an essential aspect in mushroom cultivation. This involves
the induction of mushroom mycelial development in growing medium under
controlled conditions. This study aimed to investigate the performance and
economic profitability of Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum [Fr.] Karst)… More
Spawn production is an essential aspect in mushroom cultivation. This involves
the induction of mushroom mycelial development in growing medium under
controlled conditions. This study aimed to investigate the performance and
economic profitability of Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum [Fr.] Karst)
cultivation in response to different spawn substrates. The study was laid out in
Completely Randomized Design with six spawn grain substrates as treatments.
Results revealed that the shortest time to full mycelial colonization among the
different spawn grains at 50, 75 and 100% mycelial spawn run was in corn kernels.
However, fruiting bags seeded with sorghum spawn grains significantly showed
the earliest time (28.33 days) to full colonization and also produced the highest
number of fruiting bodies. Moreover, fruiting bags seeded with sorghum grains
produced the highest mushroom yield and consequently recorded the highest
profit and return of investment. As per findings, sorghum grains as spawn substrate
can be used for rapid mycelial growth, high yield and low cost of reishi mushroom
spawn production. When not available, corn kernels or adlay grains may be used
as substitute substrates for mushroom spawn production. Less