Abstract

Introduction: Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom) is an eatable mushroom with an exceptional aroma and savour. It is suited to be cultivated in temperate as well as tropical climate. Aim: This research was aimed at comparing the effects of different substrates on the cultivation of P. ostreatus. Method and Materials: The substrates used in this study were cornhusk, sawdust with wood shavings, banana leaves and a combination of all the substrates. All substrates bags were inoculated with 52.5 mL teaspoon of spawn, autoclaved at 1210C and 1.1 kg/cm2 pressure and incubated under appropriate conditions both at the cropping room and fruiting chambers. The linear mycelia growth and biological efficiency were determined. Result: The time for spawn running varied between 20-60 days and time for harvesting took between 60-85 days. The maximum linear mycelia growth after spawn running, were observed on cornhusk and the longest mycelia growth time was observed on sawdust which took 60 days after spawn running. Maximum yield of P. ostreatus was obtained in cornhusk treatments with an average weight value of 92.1 g. The minimum yield observed on sawdust was 22 g and combination of all was 23 g while the banana leaves treatment gave no yield at all. The biological efficiency obtained on cornhusk was 12.43% and the lowest 2.2% was obtained on sawdust. Conclusion: Among all the substrates, cornhusk was established as the most effective substrate for the production of P. ostreatus as it best supported both the spawn running phase and the yield phase.

Keywords: Cornhusk, Cultivation, Pleurotus ostreatus , Spawn running, and Substrates