The Effects of Different Substrate Combinations on Growth and Yield of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Abstract

This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of mixing substrates on the growth and yield of Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). Seven substrates, namely, Trt1 (cotton waste), Trt2 (wheat straw), Trt3 (crushed baobab fruit shells, 100%), Trt4 (cotton husk + wheat straw + crushed baobab fruit shells, 1 : 1 : 1), Trt5 (baobab fruit shells + cotton husks, 1 : 1), Trt6 (baobab fruit shells + wheat straw, 1 : 1), and Trt7 (cotton waste + wheat straw, 1 : 1) were used. Each treatment was replicated 5 times and laid out in a CRD. The duration of developmental stages, yield, and biological efficiency was recorded. Cotton waste demonstrated a significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher mycelial colonization rate taking an average of 18.20 days to complete full spawn run, 23.20 days from spawning to pinhead formation, 2.80 days for pins to mature, and an average of 26.00 days to first harvest. There was a significant ( p < 0.05 ) difference in the total number of pins with cotton waste being the highest with an average of 29.80 pins, although it was not significantly different from Trt4. The highest (5.40 cm) stipe girth was recorded from Trt4 while the highest (5.22 cm) cap diameter was recorded in Trt1. There was a significant ( p < 0.05 ) difference in yield and biological efficiency. Trt1 had the highest (1.292 kg) average yield; however, it was not significantly ( p > 0.05 ) different from that of Trt4 (1.289 kg). From the research, it was observed that mixing substrate can help to increase yield and, as a result, a higher benefit-cost ratio. Therefore, further studies should be done to evaluate the effects of mixing other substrates besides the ones used in this current research.

Evaluation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Production Using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Biomass Supplemented with Agricultural Wastes

“…Several studies have been conducted to find out the best substrate (substrate composition) for oyster mushroom cultivation in terms of productivity, nutritional quality, and economic return [13][14][15][16]. Few studies highlight the advantage of using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) biomass as a substrate for mushroom production [17][18][19].…”

Influence of substrate formulation on some morphometric characters and biological efficiency of Pleurotus ostreatus EM‐1 (Ex. Fr) Kummer grown on rice wastes and “wawa” (Triplochiton scleroxylon) sawdust in Ghana

“…It is well‐established that different strains of Pleurotus respond differently to substrates used in their cultivation (Mahbuba et al., 2010 ; Visscher, 1989 ). Furthermore, the mixing of substrates may help in the optimization of the compositional characters such as water holding capacity, increased substrate structure, and porosity (Hòa et al., 2015 ; Muswati et al., 2021 ). These qualities enhance water penetration and gaseous exchange, and an optimum C: N ratio that improves the efficiency of the substrates thereby helping to increase yield and morphometric characteristics such as biological efficiency, cap diameter, and stipe length (Hòa et al., 2015 ; Muswati et al., 2021 ).…”

Optimum Formulation Substrate for Oyster Mushroom Cultivation Using Linear Programming Model

“…Therefore, much research has been conducted to find the effectiveness of other agricultural by-products on mushroom growing. As described by Muswati et al [7], mixing substrate can maximise mushroom yield by optimising compositional features such as water holding capacity and enhanced medium structure to achieve an optimal carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio that increases substrate efficiency. Hence, farmers can achieve their goal yields by combining substrates that are in scarce supply.…”

“…Supplementing nitrogen with organic sources helps to improve mushroom biological efficiency [31]. However, an excessive amount of nitrogen in the substrate can encourage the growth of mould Mishra et al [25] and thus prevent mushroom growth [7]. Supplement addition can raise the temperature of the substrate by 2-3 degrees Celsius or even more [25].…”