A teacher in the Mekong Delta grows red reishi mushrooms using an improved process integrated with IoT.

Utilizing readily available agricultural by-products in the Mekong Delta region, Dr. Tran Duc Tuong, a lecturer in the Faculty of Technology and Engineering at Dong Thap University, has successfully improved the process of cultivating red reishi mushrooms.

Utilizing by-products to cultivate red reishi mushrooms.

For many years, red reishi mushrooms have been known as a medicinal mushroom with high biological activity, supporting immune system enhancement and health care. However, cultivating this type of mushroom in Vietnam still faces many difficulties, especially regarding the cost of substrate and the ability to control environmental conditions. Since 2015, Mr. Tuong has been researching the cultivation of red reishi mushrooms.

Teacher Tran Duc Tuong (third from the left) introduces a model for cultivating red reishi mushrooms using an improved process integrated with IoT. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Through research and experimentation, Mr. Tuong discovered that corn cobs and rice husks – abundant and inexpensive by-products in the Mekong Delta – have high cellulose and nutrient content, making them very suitable for the growth of fungal mycelium. Not only does this help mushrooms grow well, but utilizing local materials also significantly reduces transportation costs, ensures a reliable supply, and contributes to solving the problem of post-harvest agricultural by-products.

"Previously, there had been no research effectively utilizing corn cobs and rice husks for cultivating red reishi mushrooms. Through experimentation, we found this to be a very feasible direction for the Mekong Delta region," Mr. Tuong shared.

Mr. Tuong continues to refine the cultivation process by integrating an environmental monitoring system using IoT technology. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Research results show that the optimal substrate is a mixture of 60% corn cobs and 40% rice husks. With this ratio, the mycelium grows rapidly, completely filling the substrate bags in a short time and yielding superior productivity. The biological efficiency reached 20.52%, equivalent to 205.2 kg of fresh mushrooms per ton of dry substrate, significantly higher than cultivation on traditional rubber sawdust.

Breakthroughs from IoT technology

Not stopping at improving the substrate, Professor Tuong's research team also perfected the cultivation process by integrating an environmental monitoring system using IoT (Internet of Things) technology. Within the framework of a provincial-level scientific project, a production model with a capacity of 3,000 bags of substrate has been built and is undergoing trial operation.

The IoT system allows for close monitoring and control of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light—key conditions determining mushroom growth and development. As a result, the average harvest yield is 87.35 g of fresh mushrooms per substrate bag, significantly higher than the 64.11 g per substrate bag in the traditional cultivation process. The biological efficiency of the improved model also increased by 22.69%.

The process for cultivating red reishi mushrooms is being implemented at Dong Thap University and is ready to be transferred to farmers, cooperatives, and businesses for commercialization. PHOTO: DUY TAN

According to the research team's assessment, precise environmental control using modern technology optimizes growth conditions, stabilizes mushroom quality, and reduces production risks.

From a practical application perspective, the IoT-integrated process for cultivating red reishi mushrooms not only enhances economic efficiency but also opens up possibilities for automation, labor savings, and increased sustainability in high-tech agriculture. Currently, this process is being implemented at Dong Thap University and is ready to be transferred to farmers, cooperatives, and businesses in the near future for product commercialization.

Professor Tuong's scientific contributions have been recognized with the first prize at the 16th Dong Thap Provincial Technical Innovation Competition, and he was also honored in the "Golden Book of Vietnamese Innovation 2023". His project also received an encouragement award at the Mekong Delta Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition organized by the Can Tho branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

With advantages such as ease of cultivation, low cost, high efficiency, and good utilization of agricultural by-products, the model of growing red reishi mushrooms from corn cobs and rice husks is expected to open up a new direction for sustainable high-tech agricultural production in the Mekong Delta.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thay-giao-mien-tay-trong-nam-van-chi-do-bang-quy-trinh-cai-tien-tich-hop-iot-18526020810230834.htm