Spent substrate of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) inhibits symptoms of anthracnose in cucumber

Abstract

Application of spent substrate of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) for compost was investigated. The severity of anthracnose symptoms was extremely low in cucumber plants grown in the nursery soil containing spent substrate. Anthracnose symptoms were even inhibited by autoclaved spent substrate. Expression of the POD gene, a putative systemic acquired resistance marker in cucumber, was higher in plants grown in nursery soil containing spent substrate than in control plants. These results indicate that spent shiitake substrate may be a valuable addition to nursery soil for cucumber plant production.