Vol. 11, Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
Avinash Pilla, Shaheen Kauser Jan, Khurshid Ahmad Bhat, Khursheed Hussain, RR Mir, FA Sheikh, Fahim Jeelani and Roaf Ahmad Rather

Abstract:
Lentinula edodes is known as the “Shiitake mushroom” and is one of the most cultivated mushroom species in the world. Three strains of Lentinus edodes namely DMR-327, Le-18-01 and Le-18-02 were evaluated for culture media preference studies. Different synthetic culture media viz. Malt extract agar (MEA), Potato dextrose agar (PDA), Oatmeal agar (OMA), and agro residues extract media namely Sawdust dextrose agar (SDA) and Walnut dextrose agar (WDA) were investigated for the effective colony diameter of three strains of Shiitake mushroom [Lentinus edodes (Berk) Pegler]. Strain DMR-327 exhibited significantly higher mycelial growth of 82.6 mm with a growth rate of 6.36 mm/day in walnut dextrose agar (WDA) media. The lowest mycelial colonization (39.50 mm) and growth rate (3.04 mm/day) were recorded in sawdust agar media. The other strain Le-18-01 colonized faster (85.73 mm) with a growth rate (6.59 mm/day) in walnut dextrose agar (WDA) media with the whitish colony and thin mycelial strands whereas slower colonization (57.30 mm) and growth rate (4.41 mm/day) was recorded in potato dextrose agar media with white thickish growth. Third strain Le-18-02 exhibited the highest colony diameter of 85.52 mm and growth rate (6.58 mm/day) in walnut dextrose media (WDA) with whitish thin mycelium and the least colony diameter (60.90 mm) and growth rate (4.64 mm/day) potato dextrose agar media (PDA).