Testing the Effect of Substrate on Growth rate in Cultivated Mushrooms
Our research aimed to explore various free substrates for mushroom production that could help eliminate waste from the university and included action research for retrofitting a former root cellar into an area suitable for scientific research of mycelium and eventual mushroom production at the UMD Land Lab. A central goal was to identify which would be the best substrate for maintaining healthy growth rates and a plentiful harvest of fruiting mushrooms. Research included the transformation of a neglected root cellar. We first tested mycelium growth rates using coffee grounds as the substrate and then using recycled cardboard as the substrate. Last, we inoculated fallen poplar logs from the Land Lab with mycelium.s. Results of these experiments were compared to our control group. Substrate findings were inconclusive and will require further research but action research results can be utilized to further cooperation between the UMD Land Lab and the University of Minnesota Duluth to help alleviate institutional waste production and improve sustainability.