Authors: Reena
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of different agricultural substrates on the quality production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju #392). The study was conducted using four agricultural waste substrates, namely wheat straw, rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, and maize straw for mushroom cultivation. The experiment focused on spawn running, pinhead appearance, maturity, flush-wise yield, biological efficiency, and nutritional composition of cultivated mushrooms. Results revealed that wheat straw showed the fastest spawn running and pinhead formation with maximum total yield and biological efficiency. Wheat straw recorded 1360 g total yield and 136% biological efficiency, while sugarcane bagasse showed the lowest yield performance. Nutritional analysis indicated that sugarcane bagasse had the highest protein content (8.75%), whereas maize straw recorded maximum crude fat content (10%). Wheat straw exhibited superior fiber and ash content. The findings conclude that wheat straw is the most suitable substrate for commercial cultivation of Pleurotus sajor-caju, whereas sugarcane bagasse can be used for improving mushroom nutritional quality. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate substrates for achieving better mushroom production and quality.
