Growing (Pleurotus Pulmonarius) on Various Local Substrates in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

In this study the effect of five locally sourced organic substrates as raw material and supplemented with CaSO4 2%, CaCO3 2% and wheat bran10% and three levels of spawning rates (5, 10, and 15%) on growth, morphological characteristics and chemical composition of Pleurotus Pulmonarius mushrooms were examined. These organic ingredients include: (Wheat straw (WS), Rice straw (RS), cardboard, Populus Canadensis sawdust (PC), and Salix Alba sawdust(WW). The study found that organic substrates, such as wheat straw and rice straw, had a significant effect on the mushrooms’ fresh weight 1087.33g and 1030.67g respectively. Supplements increased the fruit content of crude protein15.3%, nitrogen2.44%, fiber15.44%, and carbohydrates 50.44% without affecting vitamin C 3.38 mg/100 g. It also found that a spawn rate of 15% was optimal for protein19.62%, nitrogen 3.13%, carbohydrates 52.26%, and vitamin C 4.1 mg/100 g content in the fruits, while the lowest content was observed at a spawn rate of 5% protein 8.87%, nitrogen 1.42%, carbohydrates 46.31%, and vitamin C 2.6 mg/100 g content in the fruits.