Effect of Different Agricultural Substrates on Yield of Pleurotus sajor caju

Oyster (Pleurotus sajor-caju) was cultivated on different agricultural viz. wheat straw (Triticum aestivum), black gram straw (Vigna mungo), sesame straw (Sesamum indicum), sarson (Brassica juncea (L.) and soybean straw (Glycine max (L.) to determine the effect of these agro-waste on spawn running, fruit bodies formation and pinhead formation, yield and biological efficiency. Wheat straw showed significantly highest yield (8.6% B.E.) and lesser time for spawn run 16.66 d) and pin head appearance (24.33 d). Sarson straw required more time for spawn run (23.66 d) and pin head appearance (30.66 d) and resulted less yield (2.40kg/5.0 kg substrate) with 48.0 per cent biological efficiency. The study revealed that lesser time taken to colonize the substrates is consistent with better yield and highest biological efficiency.