Synergies between Carbon Sequestration, Nitrogen Utilization, and Mushroom Quality: A Comprehensive Review of Substrate, Fungi, and Soil Interactions

Mushroom cultivation offers a sustainable approach by combining carbon sequestration, nitrogen use, and quality food production. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the synergistic interactions between substrate composition, fungal species, environmental factors, and their cumulative effects on the carbon and nitrogen cycles, mushroom yield, and nutritional quality. Key research gaps include the long-term impact of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on soil carbon dynamics, limited use of fungal diversity, and the vulnerability of substrates and enzyme activity to climate change. To address these challenges, this review proposes strategies such as blending fast- and slow-decomposing agricultural waste, enriching substrates with biochar, and using genetically modified fungi to enhance lignin breakdown and stress tolerance. It also highlights promising species like Ganoderma lucidum and Trametes versicolor, and emphasizes interspecies microbial synergy. A systems-based approach combining C:N optimization, microbial interaction, and substrate innovation is recommended to improve productivity, reduce waste, and support carbon-neutral cultivation.