Growth and Yield Analysis Of Oyster (Domesticated) Mushroom and Chicken (Wild) Mushroom Using Various Substrates

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.