Effect of artificial bud thinning on yield and quality of Pleurotus eryngii

Abstract:

[Background] In industrial scale cultivation, Pleurotus eryngii features random fruiting, and the number of fruiting bodies is usually controlled by artificial bud thinning. However, there is no study available on the optimal number of fruiting bodies retained at the moment. [Objective] To explore the effect of different numbers of fruiting bodies retained by artificial bud thinning on the yield and quality of P. eryngii. [Methods] The substrate utilization in each treatment was monitored. The morphological indexes, yield, and texture characteristics of fruiting bodies after harvest were measured. [Results] The substrate utilization rate was the highest in the treatment with 3−4 fruiting bodies retained with little waste. The number of fruiting bodies retained had significant influence on the morphological indexes of fruiting bodies, weight of single fruiting body, and yield of single package. In the case of 1 fruiting body retained, the weight of single fruiting body was the highest, but the yield of single package was the lowest. When 4 fruiting bodies were retained, the yield of single package was high and the morphology of fruiting bodies was the same. As for the texture, when 4 fruiting bodies were preserved, the quality and taste of the fruiting body were the best. [Conclusion] In artificial bud thinning in industrial scale production of P. eryngii, preserving 3−4 fruiting bodies can help achieve high and quality at low cost.