Effect of Various Substrates on the Growth and Quality of Mushrooms

Abstract

The effect of different biowastes such as paddy straw, sorghum straw, sugarcane molasses, saw dust and paper waste on the growth and biochemical constituents of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) was studied. Favourable conditions were created to attain the maximum yield of mushrooms. The results reveled that mushroom growth was better in paddy straw followed by sugarcane molasses and least in wood saw dust and paper waste. The growth of mushrooms may be coincided with type of substrates used that leads to tremendous utilization of nutrients in the biowastes. The results further indicated that the biometric parameters such as fresh weight, dry weight and dry matter accumulation and biochemical constituents such as total sugars, protein, amino acids and lipids were also found to be higher in mushrooms grown in paddy straw followed by sugarcane molasses and least in wood saw dust and paper waste. The microelements such as phosphorous, potassium calcium and magnesium were also found to be higher in mushrooms grown in paddy straw when compared to the other substrates.