Development of Isolation, Spawn Production, and Laboratory-Scale Cultivation Protocols for Red Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) at University of Phan Thiet

Abstract

This study was conducted to establish standardized breeding and cultivation protocols for the red Lingzhi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) at the University of Phan Thiet. Experimental results demonstrated that mycelial isolates derived from the pileus exhibited significantly superior growth rates compared to those from the stipe, achieving a colony diameter of 79.1 ± 3.5 mm after 10 days (p < 0.05). Among the evaluated grain-based media, formula CT2 (comprising 89% paddy, 5% rice bran, 5% corn bran, and 1% CaCO₃) supported the most robust mycelial development. During cultivation on sawdust-based substrates, the average mycelial colonization period was 26 days, with a fruiting body formation rate of 93%. The initial harvest was recorded at 84 days, yielding a total biological efficiency (BE) of 16.13%. These findings validate the feasibility of the proposed protocol utilizing pileus-derived isolates and the CT2 spawn formula, providing a critical foundation for the local commercial-scale production of Ganoderma lucidum.