Successful domestication of Neonothopanus Hygrophanus (Mont.) De Kesel & Degreef and Lentinus Squarrosulus Mont., indigenous saprophytic edible mushrooms from Kibira National Park in Burundi

Abstract

Background

Mushroom cultivation in Burundi provides an excellent way to diversify agricultural production although domestication of mushroom species is at an infancy stage. The country is endowed with indigenous forests that harbour a wide diversity of mushrooms with potential for domestication. This study was undertaken to explore opportunities for domestication of saprophytic wild edible mushrooms from the Kibira National Park (KNP) in Burundi.

Methods

Samples of Lentinus squarrosulus Mont. and Neonothopanus hygrophanus (Mont.) De Kesel & Degreef were collected from the field, and tissue cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Spawn production and development was performed on sorghum grains and lignocellulosic substrates respectively and the parameters of mycelial growth and mushroom yield were determined.

Results

The germplasm of L. squarrosulus and N. hygrophanus was successfully isolated with an average tissue culture incubation time of 6.4 ± 0.54 days and 7.6 ± 0.54 days for L. squarrosulus and N. hygrophanus, respectively. Spawn production incubation time on sorghum grains was 12.6 ± 0.89 days and 14.8 ± 0.83 days for L. squarrosulus and N. hygrophanus, respectively. For full colonization of lignocellulosic substrates, spawn production time ranged between 19 ± 1 and 21 ± 1 days for L. squarrosulus and between 17 ± 1.22 and 18 ± 1.22 days for N. hygrophanus. Both species successfully produced fruiting bodies and mushrooms yielded at a rate of 18.24 ± 9.76 to 22.85 ± 9.16% for L. squarrosulus and 12.66 ± 8.95 to 15.3 ± 8.94% for N. hygrophanus which is here reported for the first time to be successfully domesticated. For both species, the cottonseed hulls substrate comparatively showed the best yield followed by the combination of maize cobs/soybean straws (MC + SBS) (50:50), the combination of rice straws/soybean straws (RS + SBS) (50:50) and the maize cobs substrate respectively, while the rice straw showed the least. The combinations of MC + SBS (50:50) and RS + SBS (50:50) showed a yield close to that of cottonseed hulls.

Conclusions

For the first-time, this study presents successful domestication of N. hygrophanus and L. squarrosulus from KNP. It is concluded that the substrates combinations used in the study give good yields, and therefore recommended for use as cost-effective and efficient alternative substrates.

Introduction

Food and nutritional security remain a great challenge especially among rural communities in developing countries. The exploration of natural resources such as mushrooms is considered to be one of the avenues to address these challenges (Adedokun et al. 2016). In Africa, over two thirds of the population rely on forest products, either in the form of subsistence or as a cash income derived from a wide range of non-wood forest products, including edible mushrooms (Rammeloo and Walleyn 1993; Tibuhwa 2013; Sileshi et al. 2023). Mushrooms are considered as a relatively low-cost alternative to animal proteins, a source of food and income and raw material in local traditional medicine practice (Osarenkhoe et al. 2014). The appearance of the majority of edible mushrooms in the tropical region is restricted to the rainy season, corresponding to the period of food shortage. Mushrooms are then an important option for people’s survival during the periods of food shortage (Boa 2004).

The decline in natural forest areas and the restricted access to National Parks has led to decrease in the consumption of wild species in Burundi, even though a number of species hold potential for cultivation (Degreef et al. 2016). Despite the fact that more than 300 edible mushroom species have been inventoried in tropical Africa, very few have been domesticated (Dibaluka et al. 2010). Currently, mushroom cultivation in Africa is limited mainly to the importation of fungal mycelia from Europe, while excellent indigenous edible species are completely neglected (Buyck 1994). During the rainy season, Burundian people living around the forests harvest wild edible mushrooms in large quantities and consider them as an important source of food and income (Buyck 1994, Buyck and Nzigidahera 1995, Nteziryayo et al. 2022). This is particularly the case at the beginning of the rainy season, which is a difficult period corresponding to food shortages when the crops from the previous season are almost exhausted and the new crops are not ready (Nteziryayo et al. 2022).

The study by Degreef et al. (2016) revealed the presence and diversity of saprophytic wild edible mushrooms in mountain forests of Burundi and most of them are probably good candidates for cultivation. Recently, Nteziryayo et al. (2022) documented the local knowledge and the use of different mushroom species by the communities living around KNP and Natural Forest Reserve of Bururi. The results of the study revealed once again that these mountainous forests are endowed with a reach and diversified mycoflora and most of the collected species were identified as saprotrophic with a high potential for domestication (Nteziryayo et al. 2022). Nevertheless, the study revealed that some of the edible species that people were used to harvest and consume in past years are no longer found in the wild due to increasing of urbanization and deforestation and suggested an urgent action for preserving existing mushrooms from extinction (Nteziryayo et al. 2022). Apart from preserving the studied mushroom species germplasm, mushroom domestication constitutes an important contribution to the improvement of food and nutritional security in the country.

Indeed, the mushroom industry in Burundi has a significant potential to support food and nutritional security and income generation. Nevertheless, minimum work has been done to comprehensively identify, domesticate and commercialize high yielding mushroom strains from indigenous forests (Nteziryayo et al. 2019). Most of the previous studies that have been carried out on edible mushrooms in Burundi have focused mainly on exotic strains, essentially oyster mushrooms. The only study by Nteziryayo et al. (2019) dealt with domestication of four species from selected indigenous forests that are presently performing well. However, the high mountainous forests of Burundi were not deeply explored on this respect, and opportunities exist for domestication of saprophytic wild edible mushrooms from the KNP. Lentinus squarrosulus Mont. and Neonothopanus hygrophanus (Mont.) De Kesel & Degreef are among the edible species that were found and harvested in the KNP and are known to be saprophytic.

Recently, Lentinus squarrosulus gained a lot of attention in view of increasing reports on its successful artificial cultivation (Nwanze et al. 2005a, b; Ahmad et al. 2013; De Leon et al. 2013; Leon et al. 2017; Osibe and Chiejina 2015). To the best of our knowledge, there is no report about successful domestication of Neonothopanus hygrophanus (Mont.) De Kesel & Degreef, except a study by Dibaluka et al. (2010) who tried to cultivate Nothopanus hygrophanus (Mont.) Singer ex Pegler, which resulted in production of spawn on maize grains only, without fruiting on the used substrates. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore opportunities for domestication of Neonothopanus hygrophanus and Lentinus squarrosulus.

Materials and methods

Study site

The mushroom samples were collected from the Kibira National Park (KNP) (Fig. 1). The park is situated in the northwest part of the country and has an area coverage of approximately 400 square kilometres. It is characterized by mountainous landscape covered by dense tropical rainforest. The Park forms an important water catchment area, with several rivers originating from its forested hills, which makes it a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species and unique mushrooms as well as providing essential water resources to nearby communities.

Sample collection and morphological identification

Mushroom fruiting bodies were harvested and examined in fresh conditions as explained in Tibuhwa et al. (2008), Hussein et al. (2018). Photographs were taken before and after harvesting the fruiting body from its substrate. The mushroom collection was conducted from 2018 to 2019. Local guides comprising mushroom harvesters and guardians of the Burundi office for Environment Protection (OBPE) helped in the sample collection. Specimens of each species were morphologically identified by comparing with other published literature such as Eyi Ndong et al. (2011), Degreef and De Kesel (2017), De Kesel et al. (2017), Tibuhwa (2023).

Fig. 1

(Adapted from Nzigidahera & Habonimana (2016))

A map showing the KNP and the sampling sites

Tissue culture

Pure mycelial culture was produced through tissue culture using the modified method that was described in Dhouib et al. (2005), Mshandete and Cuff (2008) and Haq (2009). Fresh fruit bodies of the studied mushrooms collected from the field were thoroughly pre-washed in sterile distilled water followed by surface disinfection using ethanol (70% v/v). A small fragment of inner tissue was aseptically cut from a young and healthy fruit body using a sterile scalpel and inoculated in a 9 cm petri plate containing PDA culture medium (manufactured by the company “OXOID Ltd” from Basingstoke Hampshire in England). The inoculated petri plates were incubated at 25 ^oC in a half-dark and air-conditioned room of the Microbiology laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture and Bioengineering, University of Burundi. 5 replicates were done for each species. Incubation time was recorded from the first day of tissue culture until the full colonization of the petri plates.

Spawn production

Spawn was produced using the method described by Mshandete and Cuff (2008) with slight modifications. Intact sorghum grains were brought from Gasenyi market in Bujumbura town and soaked in tap water for 18 h and parboiled for 20 min. After draining excess water, 1% (w/w) of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was added and properly mixed with the grains before spreading them out on a clean wire net under the sun heat for 45 min. The grains were then packed in clean mayonnaise glass bottles to ¾ of their volume and autoclaved at 121 °C for 30 min. Thereafter, each cooled bottle of sterilized grains was aseptically inoculated with a piece of pure culture of about 2 x 2 cm from a fully colonized petri plate. All the inoculated bottles were incubated at 25 °C in a half-dark and air-conditioned room. Five (5) replicates were done for each species. The mycelium development was daily monitored through direct observations until the complete colonization of the sorghum grains. Incubation time was recorded, from the inoculation day until full colonization of the bottles.

Substrate preparation and inoculation

Three types of substrates locally available in Burundi the cottonseed hulls (CSH), maize cobs (MC) and rice straw (RS) were used for cultivating the domesticated mushroom species. Soybean straws (SBS) were chosen as a supplement for MC and RS substrates. CSH were purchased from RAFINA (Agricultural Products Processing and Refining Company), an industrial company specialized in cotton oil production in Burundi. MC, RS and SBS were collected from agricultural farms of Gihanga (Bubanza Province). Before use, they were ground using a grinder machine. MC and RC were used singly or mixed with SBS at a rate of 50:50. CSH were used singly as a control because they are popular used substrates in Burundi that have been reported by several researchers as a good substrate for mushroom cultivation (Li et al. 2001, Zhou et al. 2011, Xu et al. 2016). Details of the substrate compositions and treatments are presented in Table 1.

Each substrate was first soaked in tap water for 12 h for moisture absorption, then spread on wire net under the sun heat for five (5) hours to drain the excessive water. A palm squeeze test was then performed to ensure the right amount of moisture in the substrates. It consisted of pressing a small amount of wet substrate between palm fingers. When there are no water drops between palm fingers, the substrate moisture was considered suitable for mushroom cultivation. This was followed by substrate packaging into transparent heat resistant polypropylene bags weighing 1 kg of moist substrate. The packed substrates were then autoclaved at 121 °C for 1 h and then allowed to cool at room temperature (25–30 °C) as detailed in Kiyuku and Bigawa (2013). Inoculation and incubation were performed according to the technique of holes described in Olivier et al. (1991). Three teaspoons of mushroom spawn were inoculated into the bagged substrates in each of the three holes. After inoculation, the bags were placed on the shelves in the incubation room located in the cellar of the soil physics laboratory at the University of Burundi. The room was regularly cleaned and disinfected with diluted Dettol (5% v/v). The mycelium development was daily monitored through direct observations until complete colonization of the substrates. Five replications were performed per treatment (i.e. 5 bags per each treatment). In total, 25 substrate bags were used to fully conduct this experiment.

Table 1 Composition of different substrate formulations, with 1% lime in each one

Fruiting body production

The fruiting body production was done as per Oei (1993) and Kiyuku and Bigawa (2013). After complete colonization, the bags containing the spawned substrates were moved to the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture and Bio-engineering (FABI) for fruiting body production. The greenhouse was relatively cooler (22–27 °C) with relative humidity of 80–90%, well ventilated and with more light which is a requirement for fruiting initiation (Kiyuku and Bigawa 2013). Two fruiting techniques were used as per Olivier et al. (1991), namely fruiting on shelves and fruiting in casing soil. After harvesting one flush of mushrooms from the substrate bags on shelves, the polypropylene bags covering the colonized substrate were completely removed and the substrates were then buried into casing soil. Briefly, a roofing bag was placed on the shelf in the greenhouse and then a thin layer of soil was spread on it. Thereafter, the substrates were placed aligned on it and then another soil layer of about 2–3 cm thick was added for covering the substrates.The substrates on the shelves were watered twice per day whereas the ones in casing soil were watered once per day using a watering can.

Data collection and analysis

The mycelial growth and mushroom development were monitored daily and data were collected on the followings parameters: (1) incubation time i.e., the number of days from inoculation to full colonization, (2) number of sporophores for each substrate bag and flush by flush, (3) the total weight of sporophores harvested on all substrate bags and for all the flushes, (4) the mushroom size defined as total weight of sporophores/number of sporophores, and (5) the total mushroom yield.

Mushrooms were harvested in 3 flushes for a period of 2 months. The yield was determined flush by flush for each treatment and for each domesticated species, after weighing the harvested mushrooms on each substrate bag. The total mushroom yield (MY) was then determined for each treatment by adding together the weights of different flushes and by applying the following formula (Morais et al. 2000):

$${\text{MY }}\left( \% \right){\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\left[ {{\text{Weight of fresh mushrooms harvested }}\left( {\text{g}} \right){\text{ }}/{\text{ Fresh substrate weight }}\left( {\text{g}} \right)} \right]*{\text{1}}00$$

The data were analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program, version 20.0 (2020). Means (± standard deviations) were determined for colonization time and mushroom yield, and their comparison for different substrates was performed using the Duncan Test.

Results

Morphological characterization

The two domesticated mushroom species were morphologically characterized and identified as Lentinus squarrulosus Mont. and Neonothopanus hygrophanus (Mont.) De Kesel & Degreef, (Fig. 2).

Lentinus squarrulosus, is a saprotrophic species with sporophores in tufts on dead wood. The cap (2–9 cm diameter), is at first convex and narrowly depressed in the centre then infundibuliform, fleshy, flexible, tough with age, brittle when dry; the margin is entire, curved then inflexed, straight and lobed, acute, becoming eroded jagged, without veil; the pileipellis is creamy-white or fawn, sometimes ochracerous, light brown, dry, radially striated, scaly to squarrose, squames innate to detached, concentric, concolorous or brownish, sometimes completely washed by rain. The stipe is central, eccentric or sublateral, grouped at base, cylindrical, attenuated downwards, curved, solid, white, sometimes brown-stained at base, irregularly squarrose when young, sometimes becoming glabrous or sub-smooth, without ring. The Hymenophore has decurrent lamellae, arcuate, tight, narrow (2–3 mm high), rarely forked, slightly interveined at base, lamellulae in subregular series (3–4/lamella), white then creamy-white; the flesh is fibrous, elastic in cap, tough and hard in stipe, white to creamy. The odour is relatively strong, pleasant. The taste mild, pleasant, sometimes slightly pungent (Fig. 2a). Lentinus squarrosulus can be confused with L. cladopus Lév., which has a completely smooth cap and with some oyster mushrooms, notably Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quél., which however has no squams on cap and whose lamellae are decurrent up to the base of the stipe as described in Degreef and De Kesel (2017).

Neonothopanus hygrophanus is characterized by its bitter taste and its distinctive bioluminescent properties. Sporophores are found in groups on dead wood. In young stages it is moist and sticky, convex or bell-shaped which expand to flat, dry and smooth as it matures. The cap is firstly white, and soon becomes scattered with brownish to reddish, finally blackish spots. The lamellae are decurrent, broad, fairly thick, spaced and the stipe is short, lateral, solid, glabrous and white. The gills are initially white or cream-colored, but gradually turn brownish as the spores mature. It is unique and fascinating by its bioluminescence where by the entire mushroom, including the cap, gills, and stem, emits a greenish glow in the dark due to the presence of a bioluminescent pigment called luciferin (Fig. 2b). Further elaborate description and illustration can be found in Tibuhwa (2023), Fig. 51.

Neonothopanus hygrophanus can be confused with some Pleurotus, especially P. flabellatus Sacc., but they differ from it in that they have a sweet taste, a fleshier context and a cap generally not spotted (Degreef and De Kesel 2017).

Fig. 2

The studied mushroom species in their natural habitat: (a) Lentinus squarrosulus (b) Neonothopanus hygrophanus

Domestication results

The germplasm of N. hygrophanus and L. squarrosulus was successfully isolated on PDA culture medium. Average incubation time for tissue culture was 6.4 ± 0.54 days for L. squarrosulus and 7.6 ± 0.54 days for N. hygrophanus while incubation time for spawn production on sorghum grains was 12.6 ± 0.89 days for L. squarrosulus and 14.8 ± 0.83 days for N. hygrophanus (Table 2). Mycelial colonization on lignocellulosic substrates ranged between 19 ± 1 and 21 ± 1 days for L. squarrosulus and between 17 ± 1.22 and 18 ± 1.22 days for N. hygrophanus (Table 3). The yield for L. squarrosulus ranged between 18.24 ± 9.76 and 22.85 ± 9.16%, while that of N. hygrophanus ranged between 12.66 ± 8.95 and 15.3 ± 8.94% (Table 3).

Table 2 Incubation time (in days) for tissue culture germplasm isolation and spawn production i.e. from the tissue culture day to full colonization of the PDA culture medium for germplasm isolation and from the inoculation day to full colonization of the sorghum grains in mayonnaise bottles by the mycelium of the studied species

Table 3 Effect of different lignocellulosic substrates on the incubation time, number of fruiting bodies, mushroom size and yield of the studied mushroom species

Discussion

This study is reporting for the first time the successful domestication of Neonothopanus hygrophanus, except for the study by Dibaluka et al. (2010) on Nothopanus hygrophanus (a homotypic synonym of Neonothopanus hygrophanus), which isolated the germplasm and produced only the spawn on maize grains. Unlike Neonothopanus hygrophanus, several studies have previously reported for the successful domestication or cultivation of Lentinus squarrosulus (Nwanze et al. 2005a, b; Dibaluka et al. 2010; Adesina et al. 2011; Ahmad et al. 2013; De Leon et al. 2013; Leon et al. 2017; Osibe and Chiejina 2015; Nteziryayo et al. 2019), which aroused a lot of attention and interest for this mushroom species (Dibaluka et al. 2010). The limited studies on domestication trials for Neonothopanus hygrophanus might be due to the lack of interest in the species because of its small size and bitter taste. However, people living around Kibira National Park consume this mushroom after subjecting it to a pre-treatment referred to as “Gusabura” in order to eliminate the bitter taste prior to its consumption (Nteziryayo et al. 2022).

Results from this study showed that L. squarrosulus colonized the PDA medium and the sorghum grains more rapidly than N. hygrophanus. In contrast, L. squarrosulus colonized the different lignocellulosic substrates more slowly than N. hygrophanus! The incubation time for germplasm isolation on PDA medium was 6.4 ± 0.54 days for L. squarrosulus and 7.6 ± 0.54 days for N. hygrophanus. Nteziryayo et al. (2019) reported an incubation time ranging from 6 to 8 for tissue germplasm isolation during domestication of four local mushroom species. De Leon et al. 2017 reported also an incubation period of 6 days for mycelial growth of Lentinus squarrosulus on different indigenous culture media including potato sucrose gelatin. In the same line, Hussein et al. (2016) reported a period of 4 days for L. sajor-caju and P. conchatus to fully colonize the petri plate and 7 days for Pleurotus umbrosus on the same culture medium (PDA). The incubation time for spawn production on sorghum grains in this study was 12.6 ± 0.89 days for L. squarrosulus and 14.8 ± 0.83 days for N. hygrophanus. This is in line with the findings of Nteziryayo et al. (2019) who reported an incubation period ranging between 12 and 15 days for spawn production on mayonnaise bottles containing sorghum grains substrate. These findings do not correlate with those of Dibaluka et al. (2010) who reported a duration of 18 to 21 days for L. squarrosulus and Nothopanus hygrophanus on maize grains. This could be due to difference in terms of substrate type (sorghum versus maize) and incubation conditions (25 °C in a half-dark and air-conditioned room versus 27°–29 °C and in completely dark place (closed box). Incubation time on different lignocellulosic substrates ranged between 19 ± 1 and 21 ± 1 days for L. squarrosulus and between 17 ± 1.22 and 18 ± 1.22 days for N. hygrophanus. This result was confusing at the first sight given that Lentinus squarrosulus was more rapid than N. hygrophanus for tissue culture and spawn production. However, it is well known that mycelial growth rate depends on the type of substrate. Meanwhile, the findings on colonization rate are similar or close to other findings previously reported (Liang et al. 2009; Adesina et al. 2011; Hussein et al. 2016; Nteziryayo et al. 2019). In contrast, Dibaluka et al. (2010) reported a relatively long time of 28–30 days for Lentinus squarrosulus and Pleurotus cystidiosus to fully colonize the substrates made of sawdust and stems of Cyperus papyrus.

In this study, the yield for L. squarrosulus ranged between 18.24 ± 9.76 and 22.85 ± 9.16%. This range is consistent with the findings reported in previous studies for the same species (Dibaluka et al. 2010; Adesina et al. 2011; Nteziryayo et al. 2019). The yield for N. hygrophanus ranged between 12.66 ± 8.95 and 15.3 ± 8.94%. No literature was found about successful cultivation of N. hygrophanus to allow comparison. But in general, the mushroom yields obtained in this study are satisfying according to the yield range close to or above 15–20% (Oei 1993).

Based on the results obtained in this research, the farming of these well-adapted mushroom species appears to be a positive and potential option that will enhance the living standards of people and promote food security and nutrition in Burundi. Indeed, these yield, although lower, are close to the range of yields reported for oyster mushrooms cultivated on different substrates : 18–40% for 3 strains of Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated on elephant grass supplemented or not with ground avocado stones (Manirakiza et al. 2014); 21.36–39.77% for P. citrinopileatus cultivated on rice straw and bean straw (Musieba et al. 2012), 29–37.1% for Pleurotus flabellatus cultivated on composted or non-composted sisal decortication residues (Mshandete andCuff 2008).

Apart from health benefits which one may get from direct consuming mushrooms, grown mushrooms can be sold and become a good source of income. The financial analysis shows that mushroom cultivation and trade can be a veritable business. Tibuhwa (2023) gives an estimated cost analysis and financial benefits for a small-scale oyster mushroom farm in Tanzania. Taking an example of a small farm of 2 square meters, it shows that one would need a capital estimated of TZS 220,000–280,000/= depending on the location of the farm (village or urban) and can earn up to TZS 600,000–1,000,000. This corresponds to a profit range of 380,000–720,000 for a period between 2–3months depending on the growing area whereby urban areas sell the cultivated mushrooms at good prices compared to the country side. The most interesting thing is that mushrooms have a high yield per unit of land, usually requiring a small area of around 2–8 square meters for significant earnings in a short span of time, apart from the fact that it can be done as a part time job (Tibuhwa 2023).

Concerning substrate performances, the study showed that, for both species, the cottonseed hulls gave the best yield than other used substrates while the rice straw showed the lowest yield (Table 3). Cottonseed hulls are already the most used substrates in Burundi for mushroom cultivation. Previous studies have shown that cottonseed hulls have advantages as a substrate material due to their high water-holding capability and nitrogen content which leads to high mushroom yield (Li et al. 2001; Zhou et al. 2011; Xu et al. 2016). The mixture of substrates i.e., maize cobs + soybean straws (50:50) and rice straws + soybean straw (50:50) showed a total yield close to the one obtained on cottonseed hulls for both species. Royse and May (1982) reported that proteinaceous materials such as ground pigeon pea and soybean stimulate high fruit yield. Moreover, previous studies reported that rice straw (Bano and Srivastava 1962; Jandaik and Kapoor 1974; Khanna and Garcha 1982) and maize cobs (Bhatti et al. 1987) were suitable substrates for cultivations of oyster mushrooms. Furthermore, supplementation of main substrates with nutrients sources or combination of two or more substrates were reported to increase the yields (Jadhav et al. 1998). Likewise, in this study, the substrate mixtures were found to be good alternative to the cottonseed hulls. Indeed, cottonseed hulls in Burundi are very competitive for mushroom cultivation due to their performance in terms of mycelial growth rate and yield. This led to the decrease of their supply and the gradual increase of their prices year by year. To overcome this challenge, studies are being undertaken at the Faculty of Agriculture and Bioengineering to find out alternative substrates with high potential to replace the cottonseed hulls. This study established that the combined substrates maize cobs/soybean straws (50:50) and rice straws/soybean straw (50:50) perform comparatively well as the cottonseed hulls (Table 3), and hence recommend them as good alternative substrates.

Conclusion

In this study, N. hygrophanus and L. squarrosulus were successfully domesticated and the parameters of their mycelial growth and yields were determined. Owing to the high competition on the cottonseed hulls as the best but expensive substrate, combination of the two substrates, i.e., maize cobs/soybean straws (50:50) and rice straws/soybean straw (50:50) are hereby recommended as alternative substrates. Therefore, we recommended their use as cost-effective and efficient alternative substrates.