Study on physiological and cultural requirements of Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler (Shiitake mushroom)

Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler is one of the lignicolous mushrooms that produces brown sporocarps. Presently standardized cultural conditions for shiitake mushroom is unavailable. So the present study has been conducted for better understanding of cultural conditions for shiitake mushroom. Under In vitro study the vegetative growth and biomass production of Le-20-05 was evaluated on culture media, temperature, pH, carbon sources, nitrogen sources and wavelength of light. Among the studied media, temperature, pH, carbon, nitrogen and light wavelength: PDA; 24 °C; pH-6.0; dextrose (carbon) were most appropriate for enhancing radial growth. Ammonium nitrate and control (PDA) were at par for growth while calcium nitrate mixed nitrogen source enhance the biomass of L. edodes; wavelength 577-597 nm were found most suitable for growth and biomass of L. edodes.