Effect of Poplar and Hornbeam Sawdust on the Development and Yield of Pleurotus ostreatus in Cottonseed Meal-Based Growing Media

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of adding different proportions of fine poplar and hornbeam sawdust and coarse hornbeam sawdust to cotton seed meal (CSM)-based substrates on the growth period, morphological characteristics, yield, and biological activity of Pleurotus ostreatus. A total of ten different substrate formulations were tested in triplicate. The shortest mycelium growth period (15 days), earliest primordium formation (34 days), and shortest first harvest period (≈44 days) were determined in the 85% cotton seed meal + 15% fine poplar sawdust application, while the longest periods were observed in the control group (100% CSM). In terms of morphological characteristics, cap width ranged from 8.60 to 12.43 cm, stem length from 3.00 to 6.27 cm, and stem diameter 3.20 to 5.80 cm. The highest cap width (12.43 cm) was determined in the K1 group, while the longest stem (6.27 cm) and highest stem diameter (5.80 cm) were determined in the K3 group. Total yield ranged from 1.42 and 2.05 kg bag⁻¹; the highest total yield (2.05 kg bag⁻¹), yield percentage (34.2%) and biological activity (102.5%) were obtained in the substrate containing 85% cotton seed meal + 15% fine poplar sawdust. The lowest yield values were determined in the control group. The findings showed that woody additives improved substrate structure, accelerating mycelial growth and increasing yield. As a result, suitable substrate combinations can significantly increase yield and quality in P. ostreatus cultivation.