Cultivation of three types of indigenous wild edible mushrooms: Coprinus cinereus, Pleurotus flabellatus and Volvariella volvocea on composted sisal decortications residue in Tanzania

Abstract

The periods for spawn running, pinhead and fruit body formation, number of flushes, yield and biological efficiency of the three Tanzanian wild edible mushrooms, Coprinus cinereus, Pleurotus flabellatus and Volvariella volvocea, grown on composted sisal decortications residue were studied. Results revealed that the organic ingredients in sisal decortications residue composted well within 21 days of composting, resulting in the formation of suitable compost, to support the growth of mycelia of the three edible mushrooms. The time for the first appearance of mushrooms was shortest for C. cinereus (10-11 days), followed by V. volvaceae (12-14 days), while that for P. flabellatus was 16-18 days. All three mushrooms produced at least five flushes; flush 1 gave the highest yield while flush 5 the lowest yield. The biological efficiency (B.E.) for C. cinereus, P. flabellatus and V. volvaceae was 68, 64 and 28%, respectively. Significant differences (P<0.05) in mushroom size, yield and % B.E. of the three mushrooms species were recorded. The results also showed that the B.E. (74%) of P. flabellatus grown on non-composted sisal decortications residue was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that grown on composted sisal decortications residue. The implications of this study are that sisal decortications residue could be used to cultivate very protein rich mushrooms for food while at the same time promoting environmental sustainability.