Committee Chair

Craddock, J. Hill

Committee Member

Richards, Sean; Klug, Hope

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This study evaluated the feasibility of using woodchips from the invasive Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear) as substrate for mushroom cultivation. Pleurotus ostreatus, Hericium erinaceus, and Ganoderma lucidum were grown on a pear wood substrate and on a conventional oak substrate to compare, yield, sensory attributes, and metabolite production. P. ostreatus showed no significant differences in yield or biological efficiency (p > 0.05), only sweetness (p = 0.022) differed significantly. H. erinaceus yield and efficiency were similar (p > 0.05), with greater second-flush yields in oak controls (p = 0.034) but no sensory differences (p > 0.05). G. lucidum performance was comparable across treatments (p > 0.05), yet triterpenoid content was reduced in pear substrates (p = 0.031). Results indicate P. calleryana biomass can sustain edible mushroom production without affecting yield or quality, while substrate composition influences bioactive metabolite synthesis, supporting invasive biomass valorization as a sustainable management strategy.

Acknowledgments

I offer thanks to those that assisted me in the completion of this thesis. To my thesis advisor Hill Craddock, thank you for the unending support and knowledge that you so graciously shared. To my committee members Sean Richards and Hope Klug for their patience and expert advice. Triterpene quantitative analysis was made possible by Henry Spratt, who was gracious enough to allow me unfettered access to his lab, reagents, and knowledge. Lastly, I want to thank the interns and owners of the research farm Gowin Valley Mushrooms in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, the owner Emma Riegel and interning research assistants (Gabe Harrison, Bran Bryant, Hannah Paschket, Mario Alfarro, Caroline Cruse, Mae Mae Reneau, Breanna Mernman)

Degree

M. A.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts.

Date

12-2026

Subject

Biomass energy; Invasive plants--Control; Mushrooms--Cultures and culture

Keyword

sustainability; invasive species management; Callery pear; mycology; mushroom cultivation; quantitative analysis

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

xi, 42 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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