Cultivation studies on Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler. A Nigerian edible mushroom on different agro industrial wastes

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the cultivation of Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler on various agricultural wastes to determine their suitability for mycelial growth and sporophore yield. The maximum mycelia extension growth of the mushroom was recorded on Oil Palm Fruit Fibers (OPFF) and corn cobs. This was followed by rice straw, corn stem, guinea grass, banana leaves and sawdust in that order. The highest sporophore yield (fresh weight) was on sawdust. This was followed by rice straw and banana leaves, while oil palm fruit fibers gave the least sporophore yield of the mushroom. There was no sporophore formation on corn cobs, corn husks and guinea corn shaft despite mycelial growth on them. Sporophore formation was preceded by a gradual increase in temperature which dropped just before the actual sporophore emergence. This study highlights the possibility of using selected agricultural wastes for the cultivation of Psathyrella atroumbonata. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.