Abstract
The relation between the increase in water potential (ψ) of the culture and the increase of fruit body yield was investigated in sawdust-based cultures. The fruiting of Lentinula edodes in sawdust-based culture was dependent on the availability of culture ψ. Cultures having high ψ resulting from long incubation time produced strong first breaks. Although L. edodes mycelium was capable of significant growth at substantial water deficits, fruit body induction and production required higher levels of moisture.
