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.
