Microbial promoters of mycelial growth, fruiting and production of Pleurotus ostreatus

The aim of this work was to identify microorganisms that are able to promote mycelial growth and/or fruiting of Pleurotus ostreatus during its cultivation on Pangola grass. Several microorganisms were isolated and tested for their ability to excrete siderophores and develop in the presence of 1-octen-3-ol. Linear Extension Rate of growth of mycelium of Pleurotus in Petri plates was enhanced by strains LB11 (+2.4 %), LB12 (+5.4 %) and SA11 (+18.5 %) in comparison to the control without microorganisms. Approximately 40 % of isolated bacteria showed no effect, while 50 % showed an inhibitory effect on mycelial growth. Bacillus cereus, B. megaterium, Enterobacter asburiae, E. cloacae, Kurthia gibsonii, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Meyerozyma guilliermondii were identified and selected because of their capacity to grow on 1-octen-3-ol, produce siderophores, promote growth of P. ostreatus on MEA and to induce fruiting during cultivation of the mushroom in tubes.Yield (biological efficiency) of mushroom production varied between 45 and 88.5 % for two flushes depending on strain.