Cultivation Of A Pleurotus Species On Some Agro-Wastes

ABSTRACT

 Pleurotus sp mushroom was grown on different substrates namely: palm fibre waste, cassava peels and lawn mowings. The substrates were pasteurized at 80°C for 2 hours. The culture medium used was Malt Extract Agar (MEA) prepared according to standard laboratory practice. The spawn was produced on clean, wet and sterile millet grains (Pennisetum typhoideum).  Fructification started about two weeks after inoculations from the lawn mowing. This seemed to be the best substrate as the palm fibre and cassava peels were bedevilled with contaminations despite pasteurization. Proper aeration was ensured by leaving the windows opened and humidification by flooding the growth house. The Coprinus sp and Neurospora sp were the dominant fungal contaminants.