Log and bag cultivation of Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) and Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushrooms in Cambodia

Abstract

The development of the mushroom industry in Cambodia through the production of oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) and lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) species requires local knowledge about growth rates, quality control, disease management and other biological characteristics to be produced. This study compares the growth rate and yield of these species in both bag and log cultures. Mushrooms were cultivated by transferring tissues from P. ostreatus and G. lucidum strains to potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. Then, these strains were multiplied through transferring their spawn to successive grain bottles. Finally, the spawn was harvested and transferred to either plastic bags filled with sawdust (rubber tree) or prepared logs. In the case of the strains grown in logs, 19 of the P. ostreatus cultures and 22 of the G. lucidum cultures were contaminated; while this occurred for only 5 and 13 of the bag cultures, respectively. Different mushroom species require different growing conditions. For instance, P. ostreatus strains thrive at a temperature between 20°C and 30°C at 70 to 90% humidity. However, G. lucidum strains thrive at a temperature between 18°C and 25°C, at a humidity of 85 to 90%. The choice of substrate also affects yield. In the Cambodian context, a sawdust substrate was found to produce higher yields, in terms of both biological efficiency and the number of fruiting bodies. It is recommended that the cultivation of P. ostreatus on a sawdust substrate is promoted to rice farmers in Cambodia.