Effect of different organic substrates on growth and development of edible oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Abstract

Pleurotus ostreatus is among the most commonly cultivated edible mushrooms with many nutritional and medicinal benefits. It is able to grow on a wide variety of substrates and inexpensive to cultivate. This study investigated the effects of organic substrates (saw dust (T1) substrate supplemented with the vermicompost of rice straw (T2), jamun leaves (T3) or neem leaves + cattle dung (T4)) on the yield of P. ostreatus mushrooms. High yield (weight and number of fruiting bodies) were recorded for T3 and T4 while least for T1 and T2. However, according to rank analysis T2 produced mushrooms with the best growth parameters. Significant differences were found for several parameters (weight and number of fruiting bodies, stipe thickness, cap diameter and cap thickness) with the exception of stipe length. The yields from T3 and T4 indicated that jamun and neem leaves have the potential of being suitable substrates for oyster mushroom cultivation.