Selection of Locally Available Substrates for the Spawn Production of Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungus (Ganoderma Applanatum)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the best substrate for the mass. propagation of Ganoderma applanatum, an orchid mycorrhizal fungus (OMF), and to determine the effect of mixing the different substrates on the yield of the spawn. Mycelium of G. applanatum was inoculated in different substrates and their combinations. The mycelial growth was monitored weekly for four weeks, and the percent colonization from first to fourth week after incubation (WAI) were statistically analyzed. Mycelial colonization was significantly higher when the substrate used was the combination of rice bran and fern chips (T1). Rice bran contained the essential nutrients for the growth of the spawn while fern chips provided cellulose. However, the best locally available substrate was determined to be the combination of rice bran and sawdust (T6). The mycelial colonization of T6 was not significantly different from T1. Both treatments contained rice bran but sawdust in T6 is cheaper and more accessible than fern chips in T1. Most of the combination substrates produced higher percentages of mycelial colonization compared to the individual substrates. Generally, this indicated that mixing the individual substrates yields better growth of the Ganoderma spawn.