The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is globally valued for its nutrition and medicinal properties. New technologies aim to increase production with less environmental impact, considering materials such as charcoal for substrate enrichment. This manuscript evaluated the effect of fine charcoal (FC) on the substrate formulation of two L. edodes strains (LED 20/11 and LED 20/12). The substrate consisted of 72% eucalyptus sawdust, 12.5% rice bran, 12.5% wheat bran, and 3% calcium carbonate (control treatment without charcoal). Treatments with FC proportionally reduced the use of sawdust, with doses of 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 16% (relative to the substrate material). Yield, mushroom number, and mushroom weight were evaluated. The concentration of FC significantly affected the parameters analyzed, especially at the 4% dose. A negative correlation between mushroom number and weight was observed. For yield, the control treatment and the lowest dose of FC (1%) had the highest yields for the first harvest. Strain LED 20/12 showed lower yield variability due to the percentage of FC applied to the substrate. The incorporation of FC into the substrate for shiitake cultivation demonstrates efficacy; however, both the concentration and strain used are limiting factors for its applicability.

This study evaluated the agronomic response of Agaricus bisporus strains supplemented with various formulations containing soybean meal and peanut grain residue, which has traces of aflatoxins. Six supplement formulations were developed, starting with 100% soybean meal and no peanuts and gradually increasing peanut inclusion by 10% while proportionally reducing soybean meal until reaching a 50% soybean and 50% peanut ratio. The substrate was produced using the traditional method and supplemented at two points: during inoculation and when adding the cover layer. The strains ABI 22/01 and ABI 22/02 were utilized. After the supplementation and incubation periods in a controlled environment (19 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% humidity), the fungus was cultivated. Three production cycles were conducted, evaluating yield, weight, number of mushrooms, biological efficiency, and precocity. The concentrations of aflatoxins in the supplements and mushrooms were determined, along with the nutritional characterization of the substrate and supplements. The inclusion of up to 30% peanuts in the supplement formulation was beneficial for yield, particularly for ABI 22/01. The formulation with 80% soybean meal and 20% peanuts resulted in a 53% yield increase compared to the control. Traces of aflatoxin were found in the supplement but not in the mushrooms.

Cultivating crops in post-harvest areas of sun mushrooms presents an innovative alternative to reduce reliance on mineral fertilizers. Advances in crop cultivation in these areas could make this a sustainable solution for enhancing food security. We evaluated maize cultivation in a sun mushroom post-harvest area, focusing on soil and leaf macronutrient composition, yield factors, and economic benefits. Four management practices were tested: a post-harvest area without mineral fertilization (SMS); a post-harvest area with fertilization at sowing (SMS + S); a post-harvest area with fertilization at sowing and topdressing (SMS + S + TD); and a control area with standard mineral fertilization. The SMS treatment maintained adequate soil pH and electrical conductivity, and in the first crop, increased soil P, Ca, and Mg levels by 5%, 140%, and 23%, respectively, without significantly affecting yield compared to the control. However, nutrient absorption faced challenges due to a nutritional imbalance of Ca/Mg. In the second crop, SMS + S + TD was crucial for higher yields (up to 6500 kg ha⁻¹) and showed similarity to the control in a Nearest Neighbor Analysis, particularly in leaf N content. Regarding the economic benefits, SMS reduced mineral fertilization in the first crop, increasing the net benefit by up to 380%, while in the second crop, topdressing became indispensable for the SMS area, with SMS + S + TD generating the greatest net benefit.

The valorization of agro-industrial residues is essential for advancing circular bioeconomy systems. This study integrated the natural colorant and edible mushroom industries by evaluating annatto (Bixa orellana) residues as substrates for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation. Two experiments were conducted, testing field and industrial residues at three incorporation levels (32.5%, 42.5%, and 52.5%, w/w on a dry weight basis) combined with different supplementation strategies (corn bran, wheat bran, and their mixture) in a completely randomized design. Field residues showed greater yield and biological efficiency, while industrial residues exhibited higher variability. Total yield reached 38.92%, while the lowest value was 24.28%, representing an increase of up to 65% depending on residue origin and supplementation strategy. Biological efficiency exceeded 140% under optimal conditions, with gains above 70% compared to the lowest-performing treatments. Field residues also promoted a higher number of bunches and greater average bunch mass. Overall, substrate origin, supplementation, and residue proportion were decisive for fungal performance, demonstrating that annatto residues are promising low-cost substrates for scalable mushroom production within circular economy systems.