Abstract

Mushroom substrates are organic materials which mushroom mycelia can digest and which support growth, development and fruiting of mushrooms. Without good substrates, satisfactory yields of mushrooms will not be obtained. Consequently, finding good substrates on which to grow Ganoderma lucidum is of great importance to the medicinal world, and for mushroom farming in Namibia. The objective of this research was to determine the possibility of growing G. lucidum mushrooms on corn cobs as a substrate base in order to see if corn cobs can replace saw dust as a substrate of Ganoderma cultivation in Namibia. The corn cobs and saw dust (control) were sterilized, inoculated under aseptic conditions in clear plastic bags and incubated at room temperature. Fruit bodies were observed within 30 to 50 days, results considerably shorter compared to when using saw dust, which can take up to four months before mushrooms are obtained. This study demonstrated that corn cobs can be used as a substrate if supplemented with nutrients to support growth of the basidiocarp.

Key words: Ganoderma, corn cobs, substrate, mushrooms, sawdust, basidiocarp.