| This study investigates the effects of sawdust-based substrates prepared from oak, mulberry, pear, and citrus trees, as well as different formulation ratios, on the yield, dry matter ratio, finished-product rate, nutritional composition, and commercial traits of fruiting bodies of Lentinula edodes strain L808. This study aims to provide a basis for broadening substrate sources for Lentinula edodes cultivation. A comparative experiment was conducted in which sawdust from the four tree species was mixed in different proportions to prepare cultivation substrates. Growth performance and related indices of Lentinula edodes were systematically monitored and analyzed. The results showed that the substrates containing 30% mulberry sawdust + 70% oak sawdust and 50% mulberry sawdust + 50% oak sawdust performed best. These two treatments produced vigorous mycelial growth, with average yields of 0.92 kg and 0.91 kg per substrate bag, respectively. Although these values were slightly lower than those of the pure oak substrate (1.10 kg), they were markedly higher than those of the substrates containing pear or citrus sawdust. Among all treatments, the substrate containing 50% mulberry sawdust + 50% oak sawdust gave the best overall fruiting body quality and ranked among the top three for five key morphological traits, including pileus diameter. It also showed a dry matter ratio of 5.08 and a finished-product rate of 62.92%, indicating an above-average overall performance. By contrast, substrates containing pear sawdust showed slower mycelial growth, with average yields of only 0.28 to 0.67 kg per substrate bag and finished-product rates of 30.05% to 42.14%, indicating relatively low productivity. Substrates containing citrus sawdust caused even greater growth inhibition, with average yields of only 0.12 to 0.52 kg per substrate bag. Although the finished-product rate remained relatively high at 67% to 77%, the low yield combined with contamination incidence made these substrates unsuitable for large-scale application. In summary, mixtures of mulberry and oak sawdust in appropriate proportions provide suitable substrates for Lentinula edodes cultivation, allowing effective use of local resources while maintaining yield and fruiting body quality. This study provides a new direction for the diversification of cultivation substrates and the development of the edible mushroom industry. |
