Supplementation of Corn Stover With Oak Leaves and Wheat Bran for the Cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus

The use of wheat bran (WB) as a supplement in mushroom cultivation presents economic and sustainability concerns due to its competition with human food and livestock feed. This reliance increases production costs and limits accessibility for small‐scale growers. To address these challenges, this study explores oak leaves (OK), a readily available seasonal waste as a potential alternative. Pleurotus ostreatus was cultivated on corn stover supplemented with WB, OK, or a combination (WBOK) at seven concentrations (0%–15%). Substrates were sterilized, inoculated, incubated at 25°C, and fruited at 20 ± 2°C. Nutritional analyses were conducted on fruit bodies from the highest‐yielding treatments. Substrate colonization varied significantly ( p < 0.05), ranging from 10 to 19 days, with OK 2.5% and 5% achieving the fastest colonization (10 days). Pinning initiation also differed ( p < 0.001), with WBOK 2.5% pinning at 36 days, earlier than WB 15% (38 days) and OK 15% (49 days). Biological Efficiency (BE) peaked at 110% in WBOK 2.5%, followed by OK 2.5% (107%) and WB 12.5% (102%). Nutritional analysis revealed that WBOK 2.5% fruit bodies had the highest protein (35.0%) and phosphorus (1300 mg/100 g), while OK 2.5% also improved protein and mineral content relative to the control. These findings demonstrate that low levels of supplementation with oak leaves alone or in combination with WB can support high yields and enhance the nutritional profile of P. ostreatus . Mushrooms are considered a superfood due to their high protein, vitamins and minerals and their low energy content. Low levels of substrate supplementation with a common forest waste substantially enhanced the dietary quality of P. ostreatus . Therefore, OK supplementation offers a cost‐effective, sustainable alternative to WB, promoting waste valorization and reducing dependence on food‐competitive resources.