Utilizing locally accessible substrate, to maximize oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) growth and bioconversion efficiency in Ambo, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

The effect of different locally available wastes as the substrates on oyster mushroom growth and bioconversion efficiency was investigated. P. ostreatus was grown on different substrates prepared from corn cob, sorghum stem, faba bean straw, pea straw, coffee husk, and sawdust alone (100%), and all with cottonseed waste in (1:1) ratio. Cottonseed waste alone was used as a control. Spawn run days, harvest days, average mushroom weight, fruiting body, cap diameter, stipe length, total yield, and biological efficiency were evaluated. All the quantitative data gathered were analyzed by SPSS statistical software for Windows version 25. Pea straw alone (T7) and pea straw:cotton seed waste (1:1) ratio (T8) with 15±2 and 15±3.1 days, had the shortest mycelia run, whereas sawdust alone (T11) took longer with 33±6.7 days for mycelia run. T7 had the shortest incubation to the first harvest 24±5.2 days, while T11 had the longest incubation to the first harvest 46±8.1 days. T11, 90±12 days, took the longest total production cycle, while T7, 63±6.6 days had the shortest total production cycle. T7 produced the greatest, number of fruiting bodies (254±48.5), whereas T11 produced the fewest fruiting bodies (20±5). The highest and lowest yield was obtained from the T7 substrate with 1614±17.1g and T11 substrate with 384±37.9g, respectively. The best substrate was found to be the T7; with mycelia run 15±2 days; incubation to 1st harvest 24±5.2 days, shortest production cycle 63±6.6 days, fruiting bodies 254±48.5, the highest total yield of 1614±17.1g and biological efficiency of 323±48.9%.