Warm-tolerant shiitake cultivation on alternative subtropical substrates

Aims We aim to evaluate the productivity of shiitake strains under warm cultivation temperatures using alternative substrates from neotropical tree species, addressing the challenges of global warming and substrate availability. Methods and Results Four strains (one control and three warm-tolerant candidates) were cultivated on sawdust from Quercus, Carpinus, and Bursera at 18°C and 25°C. Strain identity was confirmed via phylogeny. Biological efficiency (BE), yield, production rate (PR), and lignocellulose degradation were measured. All strains were taxonomically confirmed as L. edodes. The highest BE was 107%, recorded in Quercus at 18°C, although it was highly variabile (30%). Warm-tolerant strains IE-3012, IE-3013, and IE-3014 consistently outperformed the control at 25°C, particularly on Quercus. There was mushroom production in Bursera, although it was lower. Lignin was the most consumed lignocellulosic fraction across all conditions. Conclusions This study confirms that the suspected heat-tolerant L. edodes strains can be cultivated at 25°C, using alternative substrates such as Bursera, though substrate choice significantly affects productivity. Strain IE-3013 performed best, positioning it as a promising candidate for warm-climate cultivation. Cold-water immersion successfully induced the development of fruiting bodies across studied conditions, supporting its use in the shiitake cultivation process.