Mycelial growth and sclerotia production of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fries) singer on four sawdust types at three composting intervals

Mushrooms are consumed for their flavor, aroma, nutritive and medicinal values. The basis of this study is to boost protein production for human consumption. Studies were conducted to investigate the growth and yield of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr) Singer on four sawdust types derived from mango, cassia, neem and their mixed bed. The treatments consisted of factorial combination in complete randomized design at three different weeks of composting intervals (WCI) of 4, 8 and 12 in three replicates. A progressive increment in the growth and yield parameters was observed. The data taken were sclerotia weight (SW), biological efficiency (BE), production efficiency (PE), mycelia extension and average extension per day. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test. The results obtained revealed that while cassia sawdust substrate produced was best in terms of SW, BE and PE (35.34 g, 33.66% and 13.51% respectively) at 8WCI, mango sawdust produced the highest SW (37.44 g), BE (35.66%) and PE (18.28%) at 12 WCI. While the mixed bed produced the least SW at both 4 and 8 WCI in comparison with others, neem produced the least SW at 12 WCI. However, the longest mycelia extensions and extension per day were obtained in neem at the 4 and 8 WCI. As the composting intervals increased, there was a significant increment in the yield from mango sawdust thus making it the best among all the sawdusts investigated in this study.