Effect of different grain spawn materials on Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. mushroom cultivation under unregulated and regulated fruiting conditions.

Abstract

Quality spawn, which is also dependent on grain composition, is a critical factor that must be optimized to achieve successful and profitable mushroom farming. The characteristics of grain spawn composition (Factor A) and two microclimatic fruiting conditions (Factor B) were studied in the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus. Eight different grain material combinations (GMC1-8) made from wheat, barley, oat, and millet were used to prepare spawn and tested for mushroom cultivation under unregulated and regulated fruiting conditions. The physicochemical characteristics of the different grain spawn, substrate, time to attain the first flush, and BE (biological efficiency) in the different GMCs under the two fruiting conditions were determined. The differences in nutrient compositions of the GMCs tested did not result in a significant difference in the nutrient composition of the cultivation substrate. GMCs containing barley and oat gave BE values that were not significantly different under the two microclimatic conditions tested. GMCs containing 100 % wheat and millet resulted in the poorest BE recorded. However, equal combination of wheat, barley, and oat (GMC8) gave the best results among GMCs tested. Furthermore, it is more cost-efficient to use the GMC8 combinations since wheat is cheaper than all other grains tested.