07-08-2013, 01:14 PM
Studies on the influence of different lignocellulosic substrates on the cropping period of blue oyster mushroom (Hypsizygus ulmarius) (Bull.) Redhead”
ABSTRACT
Studies on the cultivation of blue oyster mushroom [Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.) Redhead] on different lignocellulosic wastes were carried out under natural growing conditions. The effect of different substrates on cropping period revealed that spawn run period after spawning varied between 18.80 days in maize straw to 32.00 days in dehulled maize cobs. Here again saw dust substrate did not complete spawn run after initial initiation of mycelial growth around spawn grains. Similar trend was observed with primoridia formation. Early primordia formation in 5 days occurred in maize straw and late in 15 days with dehulled maize cobs. This trend continued and early harvest in 7 days was registered with maize straw and late in 10 days with dehulled maize cobs. Influence of different substrates on the cropping period of H. ulmarius revealed that maize straw substrate registered early spawn run, early primordia formation and early first harvest while as delayed spawn run, delayed primordia formation and delayed first harvest was observed with dehulled maize cobs. The overall cropping period varied between 48.20 to 72.80 days. Out of six substrates tested, wheat straw, paddy straw and maize straw gave their full yield potential in three flushes, sugarcane baggase in two and dehulled maize cobs and wood shavings in one flush only.