Growth and longevity of <i>Pleurotus tuberregium</i> (Fr.) Sing as affected by mixtures of decomposed palm bunch refuse and topsoil

Abstract

Screen house study was conducted at the Rivers State University from April to July, 2006 to evaluate the effect of decomposed palm bunch and top soil mixture on the growth and longevity of P. tuberregium. The treatments consisted of top sol and decomposed palm bunch refuse in the following ratio T₃ (4:1), T₄ (3:2), T₅ (2:3), T₆ (1:4), T₇ (1:1). The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. ). The treatments were bagged in 75x60cm perforated black polythene bag and watered daily. Growth was observed from 14 days after planting. No growth were observed on T₂ (decomposed palm bunch refuse) T₃ (4:1) and T₄ (3:2). Results of this study revealed that T₆ (1:4) gave the highest emergence 4.47%, highest numbers of shoots (47), regular harvesting per week and highest life span of 73 days. T₆ (1:4) is recommended amongst the various ratios for higher emergence percentage, number of shoots, frequency of harvesting and longevity. From the above result we can conclude that using proper ratios of decomposed palm bunch and top soil increases the production of mushroom. It should be used where emphasis is laid on increased production of fruiting bodies in mushroom cultivation. One part decomposed palm bunch refuse and 4 parts topsoil by weight is then recommended for increased production of Pleurotus tuberregium.

Keywords: Sclerotia, P. tuberregium, decomposed palm bunch refuse, topsoil, emergence, longevity