Crop Cycle Time, Yield and Quality of Maitake Grifola Frondosa as Influenced by Nutrient Supplements

Wheat bran, rye, millet and corn meal supplements used alone or in various combinations with mixed oak sawdust significantly influenced crop cycle time, biological efficiency (BE) and basidiome quality of maitake (Grifola frondosa). The combination of 10% wheat bran, 10% millet and 10% rye and the combination of 10% wheat bran plus 20% rye gave the highest and most consistent yields. The shortest crop cycle time achieved (nine wk) was with 20% wheat bran and 10% rye and 30% wheat bran only, while the best quality mushrooms were produced with 20% millet and 10% rye. Considering the desirable characteristics of yield, short crop cycle time and best basidiome quality, an equal mixture of wheat bran (10%), millet (10%) and rye (10%) proved the best formulas for the most widely used commercial isolate (WC828) in the United States.