English

C Nwachukwu Precious,M Adedokun Olutayo

doi:10.5897/ajps2013.1129

Abstract

Pleurotus tuber-regium (Rumph. Ex Fr.) Singer (King tuber mushroom) was cultivated on sawdust; mixture of sawdust and waste paper and mixture of Telfairia occidentalis Hook.F. (Fluted pumpkin) stem and waste paper in order to examine growth of the mushroom on the test substrates. The spawn of the mushroom was used to inoculate the substrates. Mycelia ramification and sclerotia production were monitored on the substrates during the research. The sclerotia produced were analyzed for protein and crude fiber content. Mycelia ramification for paper mixed with fluted pumpkin stem treatment was significantly different from sawdust and sawdust mixed with paper at P=0.05. Fluted pumpkin stem and waste paper could serve as substrates for cultivation of P. tuber-regium. Key words: Fluted pumpkin stem, Pleurotus tuber-regium, sclerotia, waste paper

Highlights

Pleurotus tuber-regium is found in both tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Isikhuemhen and Lebauer, 2004)
The research was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture mushroom farm in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Sawdust was obtained from a close-by sawmill (Rumuosi), fluted pumpkin stem was obtained from a close-by market (Choba), while mushroom spawns established on waste cotton were from Bezaleel mushroom farm in Port Harcourt

Summary

Introduction

Pleurotus tuber-regium is found in both tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Isikhuemhen and Lebauer, 2004). It is a high valuable mushroom and researchers have reported its uses in various ways such as culinary (Chiejina and Olufokunbi, 2010), nutritional (Fasidi and Kadiri, 1993), medicinal (Oso, 1977) and nutraceutical (Afieroho et al, 2013). A common substrate that has been in use by researchers is sawdust (Adedokun et al, 2003; Isikhuemhen and Lebauer 2004; Chiejina and Olufokunbi, 2010). Moisture and crude fiber of harvested sclerotia on different treatments.

Results

Conclusion