Evaluation of waste paper for cultivation of oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus ostreatus ) with some added supplementary materials

Abstract Mushroom cultivation is an economically feasible bio-technological process for conversion of various lignocellulosic wastes. This study was conducted at Aksum University with the aim of evaluating the suitability of waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran for Oyster mushroom cultivation. Spawn were prepared in Microbiology laboratory and inoculated into the prepared substrates. Waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran with 0%, 25% and 50% were tested for their productivity and biological efficiency (BE) for cultivation of P.ostreatus mushroom. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Higher (26.20± 19.36) mean weight, pileus diameter (7.90 ±2.66cm), total yield (646.4 ±273.1gm) and BE (64.64± 273 % were obtained from waste paper (50%) +cornstalk (25%) +wheat bran (25%). However, Lower (17.92±81.95%) BE were obtained from waste paper (100%). Moreover, the highest (3.88 ±0.32 cm) mean stalk length were obtained from waste paper (50%) + cornstalk (50). This study revealed that waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran results in high BE and total yield. Thus, appears to be a promising alternative for the cultivation of oyster mushroom. Yet, waste paper without supplement poorly supports the growth of P.ostreatus mushroom.