ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oyster mushroom Pleurotus is one of the most aromatic edible mushrooms. This study evaluated a few selected determinants for promoting mycelial growth and spawn production of P. eryngii and P. ostreatus such as culture media, grain sources and alternate substrates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven different substrate formulations were evaluated, viz: TS1 (100% wheat straw-S), TS2 (100% cardboard-C), TS3 (100% spent coffee ground-SCG), TS4 (50% S+50% C), TS5 (50% S+50% SCG), TS6 (80% S+20% C) and TS7 (80% S+20% SCG). The efficiency of different culture media potato dextrose agar (PDA), yeast malt agar ( YMA) and malt extract agar (MEA) and selected grains (wheat, rye, barley and oat) was investigated. Each study was arranged in the complete randomized design with 4 replicates. RESULTS: PDA media was the most suitable for mycelial growth of P. eryngii while P. ostreatus had a better mycelial growth on YMA and MEA media. Barley and rye grains were the most favourable for the mycelium growth of P. eryngii while oat grains were the best source that enhanced both of mycelial extension and density levels of P. ostreatus. The supplement of wheat straw (S) with SCG substrate improved mycelial extension while the substrate containing 50% S+50% C was the most favourable for both of mycelial growth and primordia formation in P. eryngii and P. ostreatus. CONCLUSION: The results revealed the feasibility of using recyclable wastes of cardboards and spent coffee ground for Pleurotus mushrooms cultivation. This would alleviate accumulation of urban generated wastes thus protecting the environment.
