Comparative Study of growing edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) using different cultivation techniques and organic substrates in Guyana

Abstract

Mushrooms are vital decomposers in ecosystems, breaking down complex organic matter and lignocellulosic substrates. Growing substrates like wheat straw, vermicompost, wood shavings, and coconut coir vary in their nutrients and moisture retention capacity, which are crucial for mushroom growth and are key for optimizing yield and quality. The bag method supports large-scale production and ease of management, while the bottle method allows for precise control and is ideal for smaller batches or experiments. The study investigated the growth and nutritional content of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) using different types of substrates and cultivation techniques. Four treatments were tested: T1 (wheat straw and vermicompost), T2 (coconut coir and vermicompost), T3 (wood shavings and vermicompost), and a control substrate (C - wheat straw). These treatments were applied using two cultivation methods, bags and bottles. Pleurotus ostreatus on wheat straw are lighter in colour, while those on coconut coir are darker due to substrate composition. Ordinal rank analysis indicated that both cultivation methods (bag and bottle) produced similar results across six physical parameters, with the control substrate ranking first in bags and T1 ranking first in bottles. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated no statistically significant differences in Pleurotus ostreatus cap thickness (p = 0.09509), stipe length (p = 1), cap diameter (p = 0.6514), stipe thickness (p = 0.4621), or fresh and dry weights (p = 0.1173) across treatments and cultivation methods. Vermicompost in addition to other substrates boosts mushroom nutrients. Our data showed that wheat straw with vermicompost in bottles is the most effective and sustainable substrate combination for cultivating Pleurotus ostreatus.