Evaluate the Different Agro Wastes for the Production of Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida (Jacq. Fr.) Kummer

Abstract

Mushroom cultivation using agricultural waste substrates has gained popularity due to its economic and ecological benefits, offering an efficient way to utilize crop residues while producing nutritious food. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of different agricultural wastes as growing media for the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida. Among the various agro-waste combinations tested for the production of this mushroom species, the most effective treatment was T14, composed of wheat straw (60%), rice straw (34%), and gram flour (2% of the substrate), which yielded 451.69 g and 452.33 g in successive observations. The next best treatment was T11, consisting of rice straw (60%), wheat straw (34%), and maize flour (2% of the substrate), which also supported increased mushroom production. In addition to yield performance, several quality parameters showed significant improvement, including pileus size (cm), stipe length (cm), stipe thickness (cm), protein percentage, and sugar percentage. The most favorable values for these characteristics were noted in T14, followed by T11. The study highlights the potential of specific agricultural residue combinations to enhance both yield and quality in sustainable oyster mushroom cultivation.