Application of audible acoustic stimulation to investigate growth responses in three Pleurotus species.

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Citation abstract

Acoustic stimulation can influence microbial growth and metabolism, yet little is known about its impact on edible mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus. This study evaluated the effects of audible sound waves on yield and fructification in three commercially relevant Pleurotus strains. Substrate blocks of Pleurotus eryngii, P. ostreatus, and P. ostreatus x P. eryngii hybrid (a commercial hybrid strain known as 'Black Pearl') were cultivated under controlled production conditions. Blocks were exposed to sound frequencies of 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 225 Hz, or 750 Hz at 80 dB for 300 s during the primordia stage. Untreated blocks served as controls. Yields from two consecutive harvests were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA or nonparametric equivalents, with significance set at α = 0.05. Growth responses varied among species. P. eryngii showed yield increases at 225 Hz and 750 Hz, but reductions at 50 Hz and 100 Hz. All tested frequencies enhanced yields in Black Pearl, with the strongest effect at 750 Hz. In contrast, P. ostreatus exhibited reduced yields across all frequencies compared with controls. Homogeneity of fructification differed between species, with P. eryngii showing irregular patterns, while Black Pearl and P. ostreatus maintained consistent fruiting. The findings highlight the potential of sound-based interventions to optimize mushroom cultivation, particularly for P. eryngii and Black Pearl. Further controlled trials are warranted to validate reproducibility, to elucidate underlying mechanisms, and to explore additional frequencies, sound intensities, and exposure durations that may further enhance or refine the observed effects.