Effect of local substrates on the performance of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus).

Abstract

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is considered as potential for improving food and nutritional status and income small holder households. Even though it is that important, type of substrate is believed to affect the growth and yield of the oyster mushroom yet available refuses may be used for production. This study assessed the effect of locally available materials used as substrates on the performance of oyster mushroom. Six different locally available materials including; millet husk, wood shavings, cotton seed husk, coffee husk, greengram husk and groundnut shells were assessed. Oyster mushroom spawns were inoculated at a rate of 60g/1000g of sterilised substrates and replicated 15 times for all the substrates. The inoculated gardens were incubated and later kept under controlled environment for cropping. Data collected included; time taken to pinhead development, cap diameter, stalk length, biological efficiency, fresh and dry weights. Results of the study revealed that oyster mushroom grown on cotton SH, coffee husk, wood shaving, greengram husk, groundnut shells, and millet husk had varying growth and yield. Time taken to first pinhead development of oyster mushroom was shortest in Millet husk (12.7 days) and longest in greengram husk (19.40 days). Stalk length and cap diameter was highest in the finger millet husk and cotton SH with average of 3.66 cm and 5.3cm respectively. Cotton SH and finger millet husk produced oyster mushroom with the highest both fresh and dry yields with fresh of 282.6g and 342.6g respectively and dry yields 31.27g from cotton SH and 34.02g from millet husk, and of and biological efficiency while the least was observed in wood shavings and groundnut shells. This shows that the best substrates for mushroom production are finger millet husk and cotton SH and followed by coffee husk. Basing on the study findings more studies are needed to explore more locally available materials for use as substrates and as well to assess the effect of combinations of materials for substrates in addition to establishing the nutrient content of oyster mushroom grown using the locally available substrates.