Selection of appropriate substrate for production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Abstract

Mushroom production is an economically viable biotechnology process for conversion of various agro-industrial wastes into food. Mushroom, a fruiting body of macrofungi has been valued throughout the world as either food or medicine for more than three thousand years ago. The mushroom grows on a vast number of substrate and environment. Substrate compromises different agro-industrial residues that possess varied property for supporting the growth of mushroom. Though, the most appropriate composition of the substrate should be selected to obtain a better result. Hence, the study was conducted to select appropriate substrate for production of oyster mushroom and to identify the suitable combination from a selected substrate to get a high yield of oyster mushroom. The effects of different selected agro industrial residues on growth and bioconversion efficiency of oyster mushroom was determined. For this study, Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) were grown on different substrates namely cotton seed, enset waste, sawdust, and teff straw with different composition. The spawn was produced using three grains to know the performance of oyster mushroom. The main step used for oyster mushroom production includes preparation of culture media, spawn production, preparation of the substrate, fruiting, and harvesting. The highest bioconversion efficiency and yield were obtained from the combination of sawdust and teff straw. While the lowest yield and bioconversion efficacy was obtained from combination teff straw and enset waste.