A study on the growth characteristics of pleurotus sajor-caju with varying substrate sterilization methods and days of spawn maturity

Abstract

The research work carried out investigated the influence of various substrate sterilization methods and days of spawn maturity on the growth characteristics of Pleurotus sajor-caju, grey oyster mushroom. The paddy straw substrate was sterilized by various sterilization methods such as chemical sterilization, boilingwater sterilization and steam sterilization. The spawn of the mushroom produced were used at three different days of maturity viz. 25 days, 35 days and 45 days. The substrate and spawn inoculated beds were maintained at defined environmental conditions in the mushroom cultivation chamber and the growthperformance were monitored and the characteristics were recorded. The study revealed that the steam sterilized substrate and the 35 days old spawn gave the maximum yield compared to the beds inoculated with substrates sterilized with other two methods of sterilization and spawn of 25 days and 45 days old. Theresults gave a reliable information regarding the preference of the substrate sterilization method and the days of spawn maturity for the cultivation of the Pleurotus sajor-caju, grey oyster mushroom.