Spawn Contamination Causing Significant Impact on Wood Log Cultivation of Shiitake Production in Wangdiphodrang, Bhutan

Kazuo Watanabe, Naomi Diplock, Norbu & Ugyen Tshomo

ABSTRACT

Significant damage was observed in billets of wood log cultivation of shiitake, Lentinula edodes, in 2018. Investigation of the damage was conducted to determine the cause through a case study in Wangdiphodrang, Bhutan in 2018. Mycelial colonization in the billets was investigated monthly from June to October, resulting in sample billets displaying poor mycelial colonization at a rate of 64.0±14.6 %. Monthly observations of spawn quality from March to October showed that poor quality spawn was present at a rate of 43.0±6.3 %. The primary contaminant was identified as Scytalidium cuboideum. An extremely strong correlation was detected between the rate of billets with poor mycelial colonization and the rate of contamination in spawn with S. cuboideum. Thus, it was concluded that the poor mycelial colonization in the billets was caused by spawn contaminated with S. cuboideum.

Keywords; Shiitake mushrooms, Wood log cultivation, Spawn contamination, Scytalidium cuboideum, Lentinula edodes

Full text: PDF