Effect of Neem Leaf Powder Supplementation in Casing Mixture on the Growth and Yield Parameters of white Button Mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach

Abstract

Green mould caused by Trichoderma harzianum is a severe threat of white button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] cultivation causing heavy crop losses. The present experiment was conducted to manage the green mould fungus Trichoderma harzianum using neem leaf extracts. In vitro, results showed maximum mycelial growth inhibition of 64.59 % in T. harzianum using neem leaf extract at 4.5% concentration. Neem leaf extracts at 4.5% concentration showed maximum efficacy against pathogens. Further, an In vivo experiment was conducted to evaluate neem leaf powder at different concentrations @0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5% and 4.5% supplemented in the casing mixture combination viz., Farm yard manure (FYM) + Cocopeat + Sawdust (1:1:1) to monitor the growth and yield aspects of white button mushroom. Among all treatments used in the study, the results revealed that minimum average time taken for completion of spawn run (15.14 days) and pinhead initiation (18.28 days) as well as maximum number of fruiting bodies (14.71), fruiting bodies weight (22.54g), stalk length (2.81 cm) stalk diameter (1.85 cm) and pileus diameter (5.64 cm), and were recorded in T2 [FYM + Cocopeat + Sawdust (1:1:1) + neem leaf powder @ 1.5%]. Results have shown that T2 [FYM + Cocopeat + Sawdust (1:1:1) + neem leaf powder @ 1.5%] had the highest yield (470.09 g) and biological efficiency (27.11%).