Efficacy of different substrates on the production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju)

The study was conducted to examine the efficacy of different type of agro-waste viz. Wheat straw (Triticum aestivum), Paddy straw (Oryza sativa) and Maize stalks (Zea mays) on Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus sajor caju) production. The results indicated that different substrate formulas gave a significant difference on spawn running, fruiting bodies formation and pin head formation, yield and biological efficiency. Wheat straw showed significantly highest yield (747.1±3.2) with biological efficiency (149.4) per cent and lesser time for spawn run (17-19 days) and mushroom pin head appearance (21-23 days). Maize stalks required more time for spawn run (25-28 days) and pin head appearance (31-36 days) and resulted less yield (478.1±2.1) with (95.62) per cent biological efficiency. The study revealed that lesser time taken to colonize the substrates is consistent with better yield and highest biological efficiency.