Bioconversion of Agro Forest Residues for Production of Oyster Mushrooms

The oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus sp.)is the third most cultivated edible mushroom in the cultivated in the temperate and sub tropical regions of the world. Recently, cultivation of Pleurotus spp. is gaining popularity as an income generating enterprise in our country. Normally wheat straw and paddy straw are used as substrates for cultivation of oyster mushroom. Very often availability of these substrates becomes a limiting factor as its used as main cattle feed.Mushroom mycelia secrete large amounts of extracellular enzymes that break down compounds such as cellulose and lignin present in the substrate. With this in view the lignocellulolytic enzymes of Pleurotus florida were exploited for degradation of agro residues like Teak, Populus, Eucalyptus, Bamboo . TheiIn vitro studies in liquid medium(PDA broth) revealed that leaf litter from Teak, Bamboo, Populus, Eucalyptus in combination with paddy straw and paddy straw substrate alone supported good mycelial growth with 0.15g, 0.18 g, 0.2g, 0.18 g and 0.19 g respectively. Among the substrates tested for cultivation of oyster mushroom , teak leaf litter + paddy straw substrate and paddy straw + combination of all substrates ( Eucalyptus, Populus, Teak, Bamboo , paddy straw) supported early spawn running (DFSR) (16.67 days) followed by paddy straw ( 18.67 days). The DFSR was delayed in Paddy straw+ Bamboo, Paddy straw+ Populus, Paddy straw+ Eucalyptus (19.67, 20.0, 20.33 days respectively). The days for pin head formation was early in teak + paddy straw substrate and paddy straw + combination of all substrates (18.0 and 18.67 days) compared to other substrates. Also the days for first harvest (DFFH) started on 20th day in teak + paddy straw substrate and paddy straw + combination of all substrates (20.0 and 20.67 days respectively) itself compared to other substrates which took around 23-24 days. The yield was significantly higher in paddy straw substrate (470g/500g substrate; 94% bio efficiency) followed by paddy straw+ combination of all substrates (426.67g/500 g substrate; 85.3 % bio efficiency).Outdoor cultivation of oyster mushroomP.florida and P.eous var.APK- 1in bamboo plantations proved successful with maximum yield in paddy straw substrate (450 g/ bed: 90 % bioefficiency) followed by paddy straw+ bamboo substrate (400g; 80 % bioefficiency). It is well understood that oyster mushroom cultivation will certainly fit best in agroforestry model and the concept of integrating mushroom cultivation with growing of trees can provide additional income and serve the family with protein rich pharmacological rich food.