Impact of Different Substrates of Spawn Production And Calcium Carbonate on The Growth And Yield of Oyster Mushroom (pleurotus Ostreatus)

Abstract

This experiment was undertaken at mushroom production unit in the college of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Duhok University, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, during the growing year 2021 and 2022, to investigate the effect of different substrates of spawn production (oat, corn, millet, wheat, canary seed) and calcium carbonate (with or without) on the growth and yield of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). The results showed that corn grain was significantly recorded fastest complete colonization of mycelium after (7) days followed by millet, canary seed, oat, and wheat which recorded (9, 10, 12, and 13) days respectively and they were not affected by any pests after 6 months in refrigerator as shelf life of spawn. However, millet and CaCO3 significantly recorded the shortened number of days for the viewing first pinhead, whereas canary seed significantly obtained the higher number of heads per bags, but treatments without using CaCO3 significantly enhanced heads number and head length per bags. Concerning the fruit weight, head diameter and fruit dry weight did not record any significant differences in the single effect of two factors. On the other hand, the interactions between millet or corn grains with using CaCO3 had significant effect on higher head diameter and minimum number of days respectively for the viewing first pinhead per bags