Abstract
Effects of volcanic ash from eruption of Shinmoedake on shiitake (Lentinula edodes) cultivation in sawdust media were investigated. The addition of ash caused a decrease in the pH of sawdust, but little affected the pH or electrical conductivity of sawdust media supplemented with nutrients. Mycelial growth on the surface of sawdust media mixed with ash was slightly but apparently not significantly inhibited compared with controls. However, the yield and number of fruit bodies significantly decreased with increasing proportion of ash in sawdust media. One reason may be that the ash in the mixture changed the physical properties of sawdust media: the eventual decrease in volume of the gaseous phase due to an increase in the liquid phase prevented airflow into sawdust media, which is necessary for the growth of shiitake.
