Boosting Medicinal Fungus Productivity: Differential Effects of Mineral Salts on Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus known for its bioactive compounds and therapeutic potential. Its morphology and productivity can be influenced by mineral nutrition in the growth substrate. In this study, the effects of various mineral salts-Sodium chloride, Potassium chloride, Calcium chloride, Sodium sulphate, Potassium sulphate, and Calcium sulphate-at concentrations of 5 ppm and 10 ppm were evaluated on the growth and yield of C. militaris using both solid and liquid media, as well as brown rice substrate. Results revealed that Potassium sulphate, particularly at 10 ppm, significantly enhanced mycelial growth (89.31 mm), growth rate (11.16 mm/day), and biomass yield (1.101 g/100 ml) compared to the control. In contrast, Sodium chloride exhibited inhibitory effects, resulting in the lowest mycelial growth (60.63 mm) and biomass (0.539 g/100 ml). In substrate-based cultivation, Potassium sulphate at 10 ppm also yielded the highest productivity (19.33 g), biological efficiency (96.68%), and favorable morphological traits such as greater pinhead initiation, longer stalks, and shorter cropping duration. Conversely, Sodium chloride treatments showed poor performance across all parameters. These findings sugges that Potassium sulphate, especially at 10 ppm, optimally enhances C. militaris production, while Sodium chloride has a suppressive effect.