Production Of Pleurotus Ostreaus Spawn Grains Using Yellow Maize, Guinea Corn And Wheat As Substrates And Cultivation Of Mushroom:- Eze, Ikechukwu .L.

ABSTRACT

Spawn quality is the most important factor in the production of edible mushroom (which is fast gaining prominence in Nigeria and Africa at large). Pleurotus ostreatus is an indigenous mushroom (pleurotus) specie commonly found growing on logs ofdead woods in the south eastern region ofNigeria. It was cultured on three different grains such as yellow maize, guinea com and wheat which were used as substrates to produce three different spawn grains, various media had significant values (p<0.05) on the mycelia growth. The different spawns produced were used to cultivate P. ostreatus on andropogon chopped into chips, the spawn grains had significant values (p>0.05) on the number offruit bodies, stipe length, pileus diameter and fresh weight. The results revealed that andropogon and yellow maize produced the longest stipe length, highest number of fruiting bodies and fresh weight followed by guinea com and andropogon then lastly wheat and andropogon. The maximum and minimum growth rates were seen in the maize and wheat substrates, respectively. It was concluded that maize spawn in combination with andropogon chips are best substrate for oyster mushroom (P. ostreatus) cultivation, followed by guinea com and lastly wheat. Andropogon mixed yellow maize induced superior results for all the parameters tested. Guinea com and andropogon media induced optimum results for all the parameters.