Effect of supplementation and cultivation containers on the productivity of Flammulina velutipes

Abstract

The effects of different supplements on the mycelial growth, enzyme production and yield of Flammulina velutipes were tested. Wheat bran at the rate of 10 per cent supported the fastest linear growth (110 mm) of F. velutipes followed by 5 per cent rate (99.8 mm) of the same supplement. Other supplements (soymbean meal, cotton ssed cake and deoiled soybean) resulted in reduced linear growth. Addition of wheat bran resulted in increased activity of cellulases, hemicellulases and preroxiases whereas cotton seed cake, soybean meal and deoiled soybean resulted in reduced activity of these enzymes. Addition of 10 per cent wheat bran in saw dus resulted in the quickest spawn run and the highest (37.5%) biological efficiency. No fruit body formation took place when the substrate was supplemented with either cotton seed cake or soybean meal or deoiled soybean.Among the different containers (Polypropylene bags, Plantation pots, Glass specimen jars and storage boxes) tried for the cultivation of F. velutipes, Polypropylene bags proved to be the best resulting in the highest yield.