Abstract:
This study aims to determine how different cultivation substrates affect the growth, yield, and
morphological traits of Pleurotus ostreatus and chicken mushroom species. Tested substrates
include Wheat Straw (WS), Sawdust (SD), Corn Cob (CC), Grass Straw (GS), and mixtures such
as Wheat Straw + Corn Cob (WSCC), Sawdust + Corn Cob (SDCC), Grass Straw + Sawdust
(GSSD), and Sawdust + Wheat Straw (SDWS). Substrate type influenced growth characteristics
like pileus (cap) diameter, stipe (stem) length, and mushroom weight. P. ostreatus cultivated on
WSCC recorded the largest pileus diameter (6.7 ± 0.3 cm) and stipe length (9.5 ± 0.5 cm), while
chicken mushroom on SDCC exhibited the largest pileus (5.9 ± 0.3 cm) and stipe length (7.8 ±
0.4 cm). The CC substrate resulted in the highest average mature mushroom weight (72.3 ± 3.5
g) for P. ostreatus, while SDCC showed the lowest (36.57 ± 1.8 g). Substrate combinations
significantly affected mushroom yield and characteristics. P. ostreatus showed the highest yield
with SDCC (357 ± 18 g per flush), followed by WSCC (340 ± 20 g per flush), with the lowest
yield on SD (301 ± 14 g). Substrate composition impacted growth parameters like mycelial
extension rate and colonization period. Fastest mycelial growth was seen on WSCC for P.
ostreatus (1.34 ± 0.1 cm/day) and chicken mushroom (1.15 ± 0.1 cm/day), with colonization
periods of 22 ± 2 days and 26 ± 2 days respectively. GS had longer colonization periods (50-55
days) and slower growth. This research highlights substrate type significantly affects yield, and
growth of cultivated and wild mushrooms. WSCC and SDCC were most effective in enhancing
yield, and biological efficiency, suggesting environmentally friendly methods could improve food
supply, reduce environmental harm, and increase profitability in mushroom cultivation. Since
the domesticated strains have higher yields and a quicker time to harvest, thus their utilization in
commerce should be promoted, especially within rural settings.
