Application of Substrate Supplements to the Yield Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida)

Abstract

Oyster mushroom is an edible, saprophytic, and lignocellulolytic fungi. The folic acid present in oyster mushrooms helps to cure anemia. Oyster mushroom contains most of the mineral salts necessary for the human body. The amount of niacin is almost ten times higher than that of any other vegetables. In this study, oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida (Jacq: Fr) Kummer) were grown with various substrate additions to determine their effects on yield. We ran tests to know different supplements affected the yield and growth of mushrooms. The substrate, composed primarily of sawdust and straw, served as the growth medium. The research encompassed controlled environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, and light, over a defined study period. Our findings revealed significant variations in mushroom yield and growth parameters across the different supplement treatments. The best supplements to the substrate treatment combination were observed T14- Wheat Straw (60%), + Rice Straw (34 %) + Gram Flour (2% of the substrate) (451.69g) and (452.33g) followed by T11 – Rice Straw (60%), + Wheat Straw (34 %) + Maize Flour (2% of the substrate) which increased the yield of oyster mushroom, while others exhibited nuanced effects on mushroom quality. Statistical analyses supported these observations. The implications of this research extend to both commercial and amateur mushroom cultivators. Understanding the influence of substrate supplements on Oyster mushroom growth can lead to more efficient and cost-effective cultivation practices. By optimizing substrate composition, growers can enhance yields, potentially increasing profitability and sustainability in the mushroom industry. This study also highlights the need for further exploration in the field, including investigations into the specific mechanisms underlying supplement-substrate interactions.