Comparative Analysis of Growth Media for Enhancing Yield and Development of Oyster Mushroom

Abstract

A study on the effect of different substrates on oyster mushroom yield and growth performance was conducted at a mushroom house at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January to May 2022. An edible macrofungus, commonly known as a mushroom, is cultivated in several countries using agricultural waste. Agro-based lignocellulosic waste and leftovers are bio converted throughout the mushroom production process. Because mushrooms grow using agricultural waste, their gardening is similar to sustainable farming. For this purpose, the objective of the study was to produce spawns from wheat substrate and to cultivate the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus using various substrates, including paddy straw, Wheat straw, Peanut straw, Brassica straw, and sawdust. The substrates were soaked overnight (16–18 hours) and then removed and autoclaved for one hour to sterilise them. After that, it was placed in polythene bags, and the appropriate amount of spawn was added. Following packaging, spawn sacks were placed in a closed posture with a temperature of approximately 18-28 °C, and humidity was maintained at a constant level by misting twice daily. Result revealed that Paddy straw showed minimum number of days required for mycelium growth (18), pin head formation (25) and for maturation of fruiting bodies (28) also indicates maximum value for number of fruiting bodies (26.27), pileus diameter (6.04), pileus thickness (0.63), stipe girth (4.73), stipe length (2.07) and biological yield (1083), followed by wheat, sawdust, peanuts, and brassica straw.