Djulis ( Chenopodium formosanum ) Stems as Sustainable Sawdust Alternative for Pleurotus sajor-caju Cultivation: A Feasibility Study

Tzu-Huan Hung, Wee-Ann Ong, Wei-Sung Li, Yun-Yang Chao and Pearl Peichun Chang ()
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Tzu-Huan Hung: Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Division, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Taichung 413, Taiwan
Wee-Ann Ong: Department of Plant Industry, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Wei-Sung Li: Plant Pathology Division, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Taichung 413, Taiwan
Yun-Yang Chao: Department of Plant Industry, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Pearl Peichun Chang: Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-15

Abstract: The heavy reliance of the mushroom industry on sawdust substrates is putting increasing pressure on already limited forest resources, forcing researchers to seek alternative materials. This study investigated the feasibility of using post-harvest djulis ( Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) stems, waste from this indigenous crop in Taiwan, to partially replace sawdust for Pleurotus sajor-caju cultivation. Initial screening with 0–100% djulis replacement revealed growth inhibition above 50% incorporation levels. Refined experiments focusing on 0–30% djulis ratios demonstrated that strain PT exhibited superior adaptation to djulis-containing substrates. Commercial scale grow bag trials showed that among djulis treatments, 25% djulis incorporation achieved the fastest mycelial colonization rate (1.0 cm/day), while 15% incorporation yielded the highest biological efficiency (76.17%), comparable to commercial controls (76.80%). Three-flush harvest cycles confirmed stable productivity across treatments, with total yields ranging from 286 to 320 g/bag. Nutritional analysis showed no major changes in amino acids and antioxidants, with djulis incorporation maintaining protein quality while some enhancement in total free amino acid content and reducing power at 25% incorporation. These findings demonstrate that 15–25% djulis stem substitution sustained commercial production parameters while contributing to sustainable agricultural waste management and reducing forest resource dependence.

Keywords: agricultural waste resources; lignocellulosic materials; mushroom; circular economy; djulis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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