Utilization of fast-growing “Willow” trees for sawdust-based cultivation of Pleurotus eryngii

Abstract

The sawdust of willows, Salix udensis and Salix pet-susu, which are known as fast growing trees and have gained attention as woody biomass resources, was investigated for its applicability as a substrate for the sawdust-based cultivation of Pleurotus eryngii. For bag cultivation, the yield on the willow substrate was 1.55 times greater than that using the birch (Betula platyphylla) substrate. For bottle cultivation, the yield on the willow substrate was 1.14 times greater than that on the corncob substrate, even though the weight of the willow substrate per bottle was less than that of the corncob substrate. Chemical components exhibited significant differences among individual sawdust and corncob samples. The characteristics of the two willow species showed an intermediate position. In the sensory evaluation of the taste and texture of fruiting bodies, those cultivated on the willow substrate were evaluated as the highest. These results suggest that S. udensis and S. pet-susu will be useful as resources for the sawdust-based cultivation of P. eryngii.