Evaluation of selected organic residues as supplements on growth and yield of Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida

Abstract

Introduction: The growth and yield of a mushroom are dependent on its ability to utilize the inherent nutrients in the substrate. In order to acquire a good knowledge of the mushroom fruiting substrates, the nutritional contents of the substrate can be improved by the addition of some nitrogenous supplementation to the substrate Methodology: The suitability of some locally available organic materials/wastes as yield boosters for the cultivation of Oyster mushroom Pleurotus florida was evaluated. Corn bran (CB), wheat bran (WB), rice bran (RB), palm kernel cake (PKC), groundnut cake (GNC), soya meal and poultry manure (PM) were separately added to sawdust from Gmelina aborea. Results: Data analysis indicated significant variations among treatments in all the parameters taken. The presence of the various additives in the substrate significantly enhanced the biological efficiency (BE) of the mushroom when compared to the control (p<0.05). P. florida had its highest BE (68.74%) on sawdust added with rice bran (RB) and its least on the control (17.98%). Days to mycelium colonization were shortest on CB (23) and longest on PM (39). Shortest days to primodia initiation were observed on CB (29) and the longest on PM (48). Also, protein content in the fruiting bodies was significantly highest in substrates added with PKC (30.98) and WB (30.94) (p<0.05) and least in control (22.48). Conclusion: It was evident that the inclusion of these additives significantly improved the growth, yield, and nutritional contents of the investigated mushroom. PKC and WB may be used to enhance both the yield and nutritional values of the mushroom.