Comparative yield assessment of oyster mushroom (<i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>) grown on different substrates

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on different substrates in relation to mycelia development, spore emergence, growth and yield. The experiment consists of six treatments viz: Sawdust, Coconut-husk, Maize-cob, Maize-cob + Sawdust, Coconut-husk + Maize-cob and Sawdust + Coconut-husk. Each substrate was moistened and left over-night. Thereafter, 1 % CaCO₃ and 5 % wheat bran were added into 600g of each substrate. 200 g of each of the substrate was put into polythene bags of size 15 x 35 cm and replicated three times. The substrates were steam sterilized at 121 ⁰C for 20 minutes in an autoclave. Sterilized substrates were inoculated with pleurotus spawn and then air-tight sealed. The substrates were kept in the dark room at 25 ⁰C to ramify. The ramified substrates were spread out in a plastic bowl and watered daily for mushroom to sprout. Number of days for complete ramification of mycelium and appearance of pinhead were computed. Length of stipe, diameter of the pileus and height of mushroom were measured in centimetres using meter rule and the mean calculated. Number of fruiting bodies were counted and the yield determined on a weighing balance. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA (at p = 0.05). The result revealed that sawdust has the least mean ramification and spore emergence period of 21.33 and 25.33 days, respectively. The result also revealed that mushroom grown on sawdust had the highest mean height values and yield on fresh weight basis of 7.22 ± 1.54cm and 16.67 ±1.20g respectively. The study recommends sawdust for commercial production of oyster mushroom.