Mycelial colonization of Flammulina mexicana from solid and liquid inoculum in agroforestry residues

Abstract

The production of inoculum is a process that requires its optimization, since, to a great extent, it depends on generating a greater biological efficiency in the cultivation of mushrooms, reducing the economic costs, as well as problems of contamination and time in the cultivation cycles. In the present investigation, during 2016, the colonization of four substrates was evaluated (corn stubble, Quercus sp. sawdust, Senecio cinerarioides sawdust and maize stubble in combination with S. cinerarioides sawdust) with liquid and solid inoculum of F. mexicana (strains IE 974, IE 984, IE 985, IE 986). As results, it was obtained that the colonization rate of the different substrates varied among the four strains (p≤ 0.0001). Substrates with solid inoculum showed lower growth rates compared to liquid inoculum, substrates with liquid inoculum were colonized in a period of 17 days and with solid inoculum took 50 days and in some cases, there were parts that were not colonized; which was also related to the substrate used, presenting an interaction (p≤ 0.0001) between the type of inoculum and the substrate that affects the growth rate. The incorporation of liquid inoculum in the cultivation of fungi allows to increase the density and speed of mycelial growth, as well as the early appearance of primordia, which contributes to reduce the time in the cultivation cycle.