ABSTRACT
This research focuses on the impact of different culture media on the mycelial growth, density, morphology, and biomass of two mushroom species, Marasmiellus inoderma and Pleurotus ostreatus. Pure cultures of these mushrooms were obtained from the African Center for Mushroom Research and Technology Innovation (ACMRTI) in department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, and were cultured on various media, including Potato Dextrose Agar, Cornmeal, Yeast Extract, Zpadek, Yam dextrose agar, Rice dextrose agar, Plantain dextrose agar, and Sorghum.The prepared media were sterilized to prevent contamination, and inoculation was carried out under aseptic conditions. Mycelial growth was measured daily, and the results showed significant variations in growth rates among the different culture media. Rice extract emerged as the most conducive medium for both mushroom species, exhibiting the highest growth rates.The research underscores the importance of selecting suitable growth media for mushroom cultivation, emphasizing the role of nutrient availability and physicochemical conditions in mycelial development. Marasmiellus inoderma demonstrated adaptability to various nutrient conditions, highlighting its versatility. These findings contribute to a better understanding of mushroom cultivation and provide insights into optimizing culture media for improved mycelial growth in Marasmiellus inoderma and Pleurotus ostreatus.
