Production of the “maguey mushroom” Pleurotus agaves on formulated substrates

Background: Pleurotus agaves is a mushroom that grows wild on the agave plant and is consumed by rural populations in some regions of Mexico. Objective: To compare biological efficiencies (BEs) and basidiome sizes between the wild strain of P. agaves (IE-771) and a commercial strain of Pleurotus pulmonarius (IE-115). Method: The strains were cultivated in agave leaves mixed with barley straw (M) and barley straw alone (S), used as a control substrate. The fiber (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose) content of the substrates during the crop cycles was analyzed. Results and conclusions: The BEs were 42.1 % (S) and 64.6 % (M) for IE-771 and 37.3 % (S) and 71.3 (M) for IE-115, with statistical differences found between the substrates, but not between the strains. Crop cycles were longer in the P. agaves strain. IE-771 presented pileus sizes Ø from ≤ 4.9 to 19.9 cm on substrate S and from ≤ 4.9 to ≥ 20 cm on substrate M, whereas IE-115 presented sizes from ≤ 4.9 to 14.9 cm in both substrates. A greater decrease in polysaccharide compounds in the substrates was associated with the incubation stage. Due to its acceptable morphological characteristics, P. agaves strain could be suitable for commercial cultivation.