Evaluation of spawn quality and doses on yield and biological efficiency of Blue Oyster Mushroom [Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.: Fr.) Redhead]

Abstract

Mushroom cultivation is a cost effective biotechnological approach for converting lignocellulosic wastes into edible proteins. Blue Oyster mushroom is a novel species which has a wide use due to its unique taste, flavor, nutritive and medicinal values. Since, spawn quality is the most important factor of edible mushroom production hence, the study was undertaken to determine the influence of spawn substrate and doses on the yield and biological efficiency of H. ulmarius on different agri/industrial wastes. Out of seven different grain substrates evaluated, bajra grains were found as an excellent substrate for spawn production. Growth rate, yield and biological efficiency was also recorded more on bajra grain spawn. Spawning with bajra grain spawn resulted in faster spawn run (13.67 days), first flush (20.33 days), maximum number of sporocarps (38.33), longest stipe length (5.37 cm) and maximum cap diameter (8.57 cm) on wheat straw substrate. Further it can be concluded that 5.0 per cent spawn dose on wheat straw substrate resulted in minimum spawn run period (12.66 days), maximum number of fruit bodies (42.33) and highest yield (661.67 g/0.5 Kg substrate) and maximum biological efficiency (132.33 %) followed by 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0 per cent spawn dose respectively spawned with bajra grain spawn. These studies will help in effectively utilization of agri/industrial wastes for production of high quality proteins and crucial to help alleviate the perils of hunger as well as a step forward towards the sustainable environmental conservation.