Saline-alkali soils are widespread in ecologically fragile regions and are characterized by high salinity and alkalinity, leading to soil degradation and reduced productivity. To evaluate the potential of Arundo donax cv. Lvzhou No.1 for improving coastal saline-alkali soils, this study was conducted on Pingtan Island, Fujian Province, China. Three treatments were established: a blank control (CK), rhizosphere soils from one-year cultivation (R1), and five-year cultivation (R5). Soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure were assessed using soil chemical analyses and high-throughput sequencing. Cultivation of A. donax cv. Lvzhou No.1 alleviated saline-alkali stress by reducing soil pH and salinity, with stronger effects under long-term cultivation. Soil fertility increased markedly, with organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (TN) rising by 91.00% and 70.00%, respectively. Microbial diversity also increased, with fungal communities dominated by Ascomycota and bacterial communities by Proteobacteria. Functional predictions showed higher abundances of saprophytic genera ( Acremonium, Fusarium ) and enhanced bacterial metabolic pathways, including fatty acid synthesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, indicating increased microbial metabolic activity. These changes promoted organic matter turnover and nutrient release. Canonical correspondence analysis identified OM, TN, available nitrogen (AN), and available phosphorus (AP) as the primary drivers shaping microbial community structure. Overall, long-term cultivation of A. donax cv. Lvzhou No.1 improves coastal saline-alkali soils by enhancing physicochemical properties and optimizing microbial community composition. These findings provide a scientific basis for ecological restoration and sustainable utilization of coastal saline-alkali lands.

Conventional sterilization methods limit smallholder mushroom cultivation in PNG. This study evaluated alternative disinfection approaches for Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) using coffee parchment and Cenchrus fungiraminus (C. fungigraminus) as substrates. After screening 20 strains, the superior strain PXF9 was selected. Three methods were compared: (1) Complete Sterilization with Aseptic Inoculation (CSAI) applied to T1 (experimental) and T2 (sawdust control); (2) Short Sterilization with Open Inoculation (SSOI) applied to T3 (experimental) and T5 (control); and (3) Non sterilization with Open Inoculation (NSOI) applied to T4 (experimental). CSAI (T1) achieved the highest yield (3985.26 ± 2.00 ^d g/24 bags), biological efficiency (83.03%), protein (28.44 g/100 g), and profit (14.76 USD), with the fastest colonization (21 days). SSOI (T3) produced the largest fruiting bodies; NSOI (T4) had the lowest heavy metal levels. SSOI and NSOI were economically beneficial (9.88 and 5.96 UDS per 24 bags). Bioactive compounds (e.g., naringenin, ergosterol peroxide), were detected across treatments. While CSAI maximizes productivity, SSOI and NSOI offer low-cost alternatives for resource-limited farmers.

Conventional sterilization limits smallholder mushroom cultivation in Papua New Guinea. This study evaluated alternative disinfection methods for Pleurotus ostreatus using coffee parchment and Juncao grass substrates. Twenty strains were screened; the superior strain PXF9 was selected. Three methods were compared: CSAI (T1 and T2), SSOI, (T3), and NSOI (T4). Growth, yield, nutrition, heavy metals, enzymes, and metabolites were assessed. Strain PXF9 showed superior growth. CSAI (T1) achieved the highest yield (3985 g/24 bags), biological efficiency (83.03%), protein (28.44 g/100g), and profit ($14.76), with fastest colonization (21 days). SSOI (T3) produced the largest fruiting bodies, while NSOI (T4) yielded the lowest heavy metal levels. All nutritional values met or exceeded literature standards. SSOI and NSOI generated profits of $9.88 and $5.96 per 24 bags, respectively. Bioactive compounds (naringenin, ergosterol peroxide) were detected across treatments. CSAI maximizes productivity, but SSOI and NSOI are viable low-cost alternatives for resource-limited farmers requiring no autoclave. These findings provide flexible, evidence-based options for sustainable mushroom cultivation using locally available agricultural wastes in tropical regions.

Cenchrus fungigraminus is a high-yielding forage material, but due to its relatively high lignin content and low carbohydrate content, its current feed utilization primarily relies on silage methods. However, current research on C. fungigraminus silage faces challenges such as unclear fermentation strains and low fiber degradation efficiency of traditional commercial starters, which prevent them from meeting the requirements for C. fungigraminus silage production. So, this study aimed to evaluate the fiber degradation effects of Bacillus velezensis JC2 (isolated from C. fungigraminus), the commercial cellulose-degrading bacterium Bacillus velezensis (CBV), and Trichoderma longibrachiatum (CTL) on C. fungigraminus. The degradation performance of JC2 was assessed based on the lignocellulose content of silage samples, scanning electron microscopy observations, crystallinity, and changes in chemical bonds and functional groups. Furthermore, the three strains exhibiting the highest activities of CMCase, FPase, and β-glucosidase during the screening process were combined with enzyme preparations to develop a specialized silage additive suitable for C. fungigraminus. The results indicate that: (1) Compared to commercial cellulose-degrading strains, after 14 days of fermentation with JC2 treatment, the lignin in C. fungigraminus was effectively degraded. (2) The silage feed of C. fungigraminus treated with a mixture of JC2, JC3, and JC28 showed significant improvements in sensory evaluation, lactic acid content, and cellulose degradation rate. The pH value decreased rapidly (<4.2), while the LA content and the LA/AA ratio increased, and the NDF content decreased by 4.2% DM, effectively enhancing the quality of the silage feed. In summary, the Bacillus velezensis JC2 selected in this experiment effectively degraded the fiber structure of C. fungigraminus, improved the quality of the silage, and enhanced its nutritional value, demonstrating significant potential as a specialized silage additive for C. fungigraminus.

Flammulina filiformis is a significant edible and medicinal fungus; however, its industrial expansion has been limited by traditional cultivation practices, highlighting an urgent need for resource-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative substrates. This study investigated the partial replacement of traditional substrates with Cenchrus fungigraminus. Utilizing the simplex-lattice method for optimization, we identified an optimal cultivation formulation, composed primarily of 20% C. fungigraminus and 28% corncobs. This formulation achieved a biological efficiency of 131.92% and enhanced the nutritional content of the fruiting bodies. Monitoring dynamic enzyme activity revealed that the yield was positively correlated with post-primordium cellulase activity, whereas mycelial growth was negatively correlated with cellulase activity during the vegetative stage. Transcriptomic analysis further indicated that key genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and cellular processes were significantly upregulated in the optimized formulation. These results suggest that the addition of C. fungigraminus enhances nutrient conversion efficiency by regulating the expression of genes associated with carbon and nitrogen metabolism, ultimately leading to an approximately 15% increase in the biological efficiency of fruiting bodies, and a profit increase of 379.37 Chinese Yuan (CNY) per ton of cultivation substrate, demonstrating substantial economic benefits. In summary, this study provides a theoretical and technical foundation for cultivating F. filiformis using C. fungigraminus, contributing to the advancement of the industry toward resource conservation and environmental sustainability.