Evaluation of Two Different Treatments for Larch Logs as Substrates to Cultivate Ganoderma tsugae in the Forest

Larch wood, a prevalent cultivation medium for <i>Ganoderma tsugae</i>, has yet to be scrutinized concerning the differential impacts of sterilized and non-sterilized substrates on the growth and development of this fungus. Our present investigation sought to elucidate these effects in a forest-like environment. After larch wood segments were sun-dried, they were divided into two groups; one group was bagged and autoclaved, while the other group was bagged without any treatment. Subsequently, all segments were inoculated with the <i>G. tsugae</i> strain HLXL1 and ensconced under the canopy of a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> forest, thereby approximating the conditions of natural growth. Wild <i>G. tsugae</i> was used as the control. Data on agronomic traits, production days, fruiting body yield, and effective constituent content were analyzed. The results indicated no significant differences between sterilized and non-sterilized substrates in terms of agronomic traits. However, the mineral content and bioactive compounds in <i>G. tsugae</i> fruiting bodies significantly differed across various growth stages. The outcomes were optimal for non-sterilized substrates, followed by sterilized substrates, while the wild strains were markedly less effective than the cultivated ones.