Prof. Kimiko Itoh
Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University, JapanSpeech Title: Waste mushroom fungi beds as source of good biostimulants which gives solution for rice yielding and grain quality problems under high temperature stress
Abstract: Volatile compounds (VCs) are low-molecular-weight substances, encompassing both inorganic and organic compounds that diffuse through air, soil, or water, enabling them to interact with organisms and influence biological functions. Many organisms emit VCs and interact with each other. In this study, we focus on the effects of VCs emitted by edible mushroom fungi beds (FBs) on crops. Fungi bed mushroom cultivation is widely practiced in the world. Although large quantities of waste fungi beds are produced, their use is limited, and much energy is invested in drying and incineration of the wasted fungi beds. We found that the application of FB derived VCs increase rice yields and reduce damage from high temperature stress. A two-year field trial showed that exposure of rice seedlings to VCs for one month improved yield and grain quality in rice plants grown under high temperature stress.These results strongly suggest that VCs derived from FBs are effective biostimulants. This research was funded by the A-STEP Tryout JPMJTM22CA grant and SPRING, Grant J3H2003 from the JST.