Growing Shiitake Mushroom on Hardwood Sawdust in the Greenhouse

Seven strains of shiitake mushroom [Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler] produced spawn in culture vessels containing hardwood sawdust amended with YVMBS (yeast extract, multigrain oatmeal, brown sugar) broth within 35 to 45 days after mycelia inoculations. Under greenhouse conditions, shiitake basidiocarps (mushroom fruit) appeared from 1 to 3 months after spawn inoculations of the hardwood sawdust amended with YVMBS broth. The shiitake mushroom strains LE2, LE1, LE6, and LE5 had 10.4, 7.3, 2.5, and 1.6 times more fresh harvested basidiocarps, respectively, on the amended hardwood sawdust compared to the controls. The amount of basidiocarps produced by the shiitake strains LE3, LE4, and LE7 was the same on both hardwood sawdust treatments. The basidiocarps of LE1, LE2, LE3, LE4, and LE5 were averaged 5 inches (12.7 cm) in diameter, however, the basidiocarps of LE6 and LE7 were averaging only 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter. The only pests of the shiitake basidiocarps in the greenhouse were slugs, but they were easily controlled by applying table salt. The start up cost of inoculating 100 shiitake spawn blocks on hardwood sawdust on one bench in the greenhouse was $77. The start up cost of inoculating shiitake spawn on 100 logs was $1,329.75. In 1 year, shiitake strains LE1, LE2, LE5, and LE6 produced 19.5, 20.2, 7.9, and 4.5 lb (8.8, 9.2, 3.6, and 2.0 kg), respectively, of harvested fresh basidiocarps on amended hardwood sawdust in the greenhouse. The mushrooms retail for $3.20 to $4.20/lb ($7.05 to $9.26/kg). The use of the hardwood sawdust amended with YVMBS broth for shiitake production in the greenhouse has considerable economic potential for shiitake mushroom growers.