Evaluation of Three Organic Agricultural Wastes as Substrates for Cultivation of Mushroom (Pleurotus Tuberregium Fr.)

Evaluation of three organic agricultural wastes as substrates for cultivation of mushroom (Pleurotus tuberregium Fr.) was investigated in this study. Pleurotus tuberregium was cultivated using three substrates viz 80% saw dust and 20% cassava peels (A), 80% saw dust and 20% yam peels (B) and 80% saw dust and 20% rice bran (C) to determine the substrate with highest growth and yield. The methods used were processing of the organic wastes, bagging, sterilization, inoculation of the spawn, incubation, cropping, watering and harvesting. All treatments for the experiment were laid out using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the three treatments replicated four times. Means were analyzed statistically using (ANOVA) to test for significance. Means were separated using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software. The result revealed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the stipe girth of the mushroom under different substrates at 2.433 ± 0 .60a for substrates A, 2.883 ± 0.85b for substrate B and 3.850 ± 0.86c for substrates C. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the stipe height between substrate A and substrate B but showed significant difference in substrate C at 7.033 ± 0.95b. The pileus girth showed significant difference (p <0.05) in substrates C at 22.804 ± 1.57b and no significant difference in substrate A and Substrate B. The study revealed that though there were growth in all the three substrates but substrate C gave highest growth parameters and yield.