The mycelial growth speed of Pleurotus ostreatus (POS 09/100) and Lentinula edodes (LED 96/13) was evaluated in four substrates based on Simarouba amara sawdust, Anacardium giganteum sawdust, Euterpe precatoria seeds and Musa sp. AAB stems. The loss of organic matter of the substrates and the mycelial vigor of the strains studied were also evaluated. The greatest mycelial growth for P. ostreatus occurred in the substrates formulated with S. amara sawdust (29.45 cm3/day) and A. giganteum (27.58 cm3/day). The best performance for L. edodes occurred in the substrate of A. giganteum (13.22 cm3/day), followed by the S. amara (11.30 cm3/day). The most intense rates of vigor were presented in the E. precatoria substrate which was added with brans. The most significant loss of organic matter for both mushrooms occurred in the substrate formulated with a supplement of A. giganteum (54% for P. ostreatus and 61% for L. edodes). There was no mycelial growth in the formulation prepared with banana stem in both mushrooms tested.Key words: Edible fungi, mycelial growth, alternative substrates
