Carbon-to-nitrogen ratios for Agaricus brasiliensis on the axenic method

ABSTRACT. Cultivation techniques for Agaricus brasiliensis (composting method) and substratum formulations are the same ones used for Agaricus bisporus. Most of the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratios reported for A. brasiliensis are similar to those used for A. bisporus on the composting method and there are few studies about the variation of C:N ratios for A. brasilienses on the axenic method. The objective of this study was to verify the mycelial growth of A. brasiliensis on different C:N ratios using regional by-products as substrate formulation on the axenic method. Studied C:N ratios of substrate (mixture of soybean and cassava fibers) ranged from 11:1 to 248:1, with nitrogen content ranging from 4.25 to 0.20%, respectively. It was concluded that substrate with only soybean fiber generates higher mycelial growth than any formulation with cassava fiber; the highest mycelial growth on substrate is with C:N ratio of 11:1 (N = 4.25%); the intermediate growth is with C:N ratio range from 15:1 to 50:1 (N from 3.31 to 0.98%); and the lowest growth is with C:N ratio of 100:1 or higher (N ≤ 0.50%). Key words: Agaricus blazei, mycelial growth, substrate, cultivation. RESUMO. Relação carbono/nitrogênio do substrato pelo método de cultiv