PERFORMANCE OF OYSTER MUSHROOM (PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS) GROWN ON COTTON WASTE AND SORGHUM STRAW BASED GROWING SUBSTRATES

Abstract

Production of oyster mushroom is very low in Pakistan. To estimate growth and yield response of Pleurotus ostreatus an experiment was performed in Medicinal and Mushroom Lab, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Two substrates (cotton waste and sorghum straw) were used alone and with different combinations. There were five treatments T₀ (100 % Cotton Waste), T₁ (100% Sorghum Straw), T₂ (75% Sorghum Straw + 25% Cotton Waste), T₃ (50% Sorghum Straw + 50% Cotton Waste), T₄ (25% Sorghum Straw + 75% Cotton Waste). Data regarding time taken for initiation of spawn run, completion of mycelial growth, initiation of pinheads, total number of pinheads, time taken to harvest 1^st, 2^nd  and 3^rd flush, fresh weight of 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd flush harvested, total yield, pH, total soluble solids, acidity, ascorbic acid contents, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars was recorded. T₀ (100 % cotton waste) performed well followed by T₄ (75 % cotton waste and 25 % sorghum straw) regarding yield and all the bio chemical attributes.