Evaluation of cotton waste, paper waste and jatropha cake for culture of Pleurotus sajor-caju under different pasteurization methods

Abstract Identification of suitable substrate material and correct substrate pasteurization method is critical for successful oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) culture. An experiment was undertaken in a mushroom growing house to evaluate the effect of two pasteurization methods (boiling and use of Na hypochlorite) for P. sajor-caju culture on different substrates (cotton waste, waste paper and jatropha cake). A 3×2 factorial laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was used. Spawning was done at a rate of 8% and only the first three flushes were considered for the evaluation of substrate productivity. Mean number of basidiocarps (MNB), mean basidiocarp weight (MBW), biological efficiency (BE) and number of days to first fruiting (DFF) were used to evaluate substrate productivity. No fruiting was observed on jatropha cake under either pasteurization technique. Fruiting occurred on cotton waste and waste paper under both pasteurization methods. The results showed significant interaction effect (p<0.05) of substrate type and pasteurization method on MBW, BE and DFF. Cotton waste pasteurized by boiling method had highest productivity in terms of MNB, MBW and BE while waste paper pasteurized by Na hypochlorite solution had least productivity. However, waste paper pasteurized by boiling method took fewer DFF while cotton waste pasteurized by Na hypochlorite took the longest DFF hence delayed fruiting. Cotton waste proved to be the best substrate for P. sajor-caju production while boiling was the most effective pasteurization method. Jatropha cake is not suitable for oyster mushroom culture.