Growth and yield impact of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq P. Kumm) cultivated on different agricultural wastes

Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible mushroom is an essential food product. Recognised as one of the cheapest sources of proteins, their high nutritional and anti-nutritional properties are of immense importance to humans. The present study evaluated the effect of sawdust and dried plantain leaves on the growth and yield of Pleurotus ostreatus. Sawdust and dried plantain leaves were composted into seven substrates; as single substrates and at different combinations. The composted substrates include sawdust 100 % (M0), Dry plantain leaves 100% (M1), Dry plantain leaves + sawdust at the ratio of 1:4 (M2), 2:3 (M3), 3:2 (M4), 1:1 (M5) and 4:1(M6). Growth parameters of interest assessed flush include mycelia running rate (MRR), area of pileus, length of the stipe, the girth of the stipe, fresh weight and dry weight, number of fruit body, total yield and biological efficiency. At the end of the three weeks spawn running period, M0 was overall best in supporting mycelia running rate with a mean MRR of 16.00 cm. M1 substrates produced mushroom with longer and bigger stipes (7.17 cm) at the first flush. A higher number of fruit bodies (82.66), total yield (130.35 g), and biological efficiency (43.45 g) were all seen in M0 substrates. Sawdust at 100 % (M0) proved to be the best substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus.