eng info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceProceedings Key words: Shiitake; substrate acidity; mycelial mass production Abstract: One of the main factors relevant for the occurrence of the infection is the pH substrate. The impact of this factor on the growth and production of mycelial mass was examined under laboratory conditions. The aim of the research was to determine the optimal conditions for the development of the fungus L. edodes. The results showed optimal acidity of the substrate that stimulates the growth of this fungus, compared to the conditions under which the rival microorganisms develop. The highest weight of mycelial dry mass was formed at the substrate pH values between 3.00 and 3.63, which means that this fungus can easily perform spontaneous infection. The changes in pH of the substrate where the examined strains of the fungus L. edodes grew shifted toward acidic reaction (5.15 to 3.52), which suggests that such acidity favours the development of the fungus investigated. The fungus cannot thrive in an alkaline environment at pH 7.3, which halts its development. 2025 application/pdf 368727 bytes Marković, Miroslava Gagić-Serdar, Renata Rakonjac, Ljubinko All rights reserved Paris, France | March 27-29, 2025 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8752 Optimum Substrate Acidity for Maximum Mycelial Mass Production Shiitake - Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler (1976) Abstract book: WORLD SUMMIT ON Crop Science and Engineering, WSCSE-2025