Valorization of date palm waste as a substrate for Reishi medicinal mushroom ( <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> ) cultivation

Abstract

<i>Ganoderma lucidum</i>, commonly known as Reishi mushroom, is highly valued for its medicinal properties and economic importance. Date palm residues (DPR) offer a sustainable and cost-effective substrate for mushroom cultivation by promoting the efficient utilization of agricultural waste efficiently. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different wheat bran (WB) supplementation levels on the growth performance and yield of <i>G. lucidum</i> cultivated on DPR. Three treatments were applied: DPR alone (T1), DPR supplemented with 20% WB (T2), and DPR supplemented with 30% WB (T3), each replicated ten times. The substrates were sterilized, inoculated, and incubated under controlled conditions, and yield data were recorded over four successive flushes. The results showed that T2 (20% WB) yielded the highest performance, with an average fresh weight (FW) of 469 g, dry weight (DW) of 76.4 g, moisture content (MC) of 84%, biological efficiency (BE) of 57.04%, and biological conversion efficiency (BCE) of 9.3%. T1 (DPR only) showed moderate performance, and T3 (30% WB) recorded the lowest values. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among treatments. Across all four flushes, T2 consistently outperformed T1 and T3 in terms of FW, DW, and MC. Notably, excessive supplementation (T3) resulted in decreased efficiency and yield. This study identifies 20% wheat bran supplementation as the optimal rate for maximizing productivity and biological efficiency in <i>G. lucidum</i> cultivation using DPR. The T2 treatment is recommended for commercial production due to its superior yield and economic viability.<i>Implications:</i> The utilizing date palm residues as a substrate supports sustainable practices by recycling agricultural waste and minimizing environmental impact. Supplementing date palm residues with 20% wheat bran significantly boosts <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> yield and productivity, enhancing economic viability for farmers and commercial growers. Adopting the T2 treatment (20% wheat bran supplementation) offers a practical strategy for optimizing mushroom production, which can lead to increased operational efficiency and profitability in commercial settings. Moreover, the findings underscore the potential of integrating diverse agricultural by-products to improve mushroom growth, encouraging further research into innovative substrate formulations tailored for various mushroom species.