Growth and Yield Performance of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Cultivated in Different Biowastes

Cultivation of oyster mushroom by utilizing the biowastes as alternative substrates to saw dust is an efficient biowaste management practice as well as it reduce the burden on depending saw dust for mushroom cultivation. The objective of this study is to determine the growth and yield performance of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) growing in different biowastes. Experiment has four treatments including with the addition of substrates as banana leaves (T1), groundnut shells (T2), palmyra leaves (T3), and sawdust (control-T4). It was arranged in a complete randomized design with five replicates. The spawns were inoculated into sterilized substrates under aseptic conditions. The growth and development of mushrooms were monitored daily. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (analysis of variance), and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) using SPSS 24. The results revealed that oyster mushrooms can grow on all three biowastes with varying growth performance. The mean number of days required to complete the mycelium growth, pin head formation, and fruiting body formation were less in sawdust, and banana leaves used as a substrate. Growth, yield attributes and biological efficiency of mushroom were significantly higher in sawdust, and banana leaves were second highest. The present study concludes that there is potential to utilize banana leaves and saw dust as substrate for mushroom cultivation. Further studies are needed to find the actual combination of banana leaves and sawdust for better yield and growth performances.