Comparative efficacy of different substrates for cultivation and yield performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju)

Mushrooms are extraordinarily nutritious products, can be produced from lignocellulosic waste materials; and are extremely rich in protein and crude fiber, have low fat and calories and good vitamins. Besides that it holds multi-functional medicinal properties. Mushroom cultivation is eco-friendly technology. The present study was conducted on oyster mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju with different substrates viz., wheat straw, paddy straw, soybean straw and maize stalks and leaves. In the study the main goal was to find out the efficacy of different substrate on morphological parameters, yield and biological efficiency. Amongst the different substrates wheat straw was found significantly higher in respect of number (171.03) and weight of sporophores (4.05 g) as well as yield of sporophores (694.38 g/kg straw). The other substrates gave optimum yield such as paddy straw (619.72 g/kg straw). The lowest yield was observed in maize stalk and leaves (425.30 g/kg straw).