Evaluation of biomass of some invasive weed species as substrate for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) cultivation

Pak J Biol Sci. 2014 Jan 15;17(2):213-9. doi: 10.3923/pjbs.2014.213.219.

Abstract

This study assessed the bioconversion of Agriculture wastes like invasive weeds species (Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora, Parthenium hysterophorus) as a substrate for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus species) cultivation together with wheat straw as a control. The experiment was laid out in factorial combination of substrates and three edible oyster mushroom species in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Pleurotus ostreatus gave significantly (p < 0.01) total yield of 840 g kg(-1) on P. hysterophorus, Significantly (p < 0.01) biological efficiency (83.87%) and production rate of 3.13 was recorded for P. ostreatus grown on P. hysterophorus. The highest total ash content (13.90%) was recorded for P. florida grown on L. camara. while the lowest (6.92%) was for P. sajor-caju grown on the P. juliflora. Crude protein ranged from 40.51-41.48% for P. florida grown on P. hysterophorus and L. camara. Lowest crude protein content (30.11%) was recorded for P. ostreatus grown on wheat straw. The crude fiber content (12.73%) of P. sajor-caju grown on wheat straw was the highest. The lowest crude fiber (5.19%) was recorded for P. ostreatus on P. juliflora. Total yield had a positive and significant correlation with biological efficiency and production. Utilization of the plant biomass for mushroom cultivation could contribute to alleviating ecological impact of invasive weed species while offering practical option to mitigating hunger and malnutrition in areas where the invasive weeds became dominant.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Biomass
  • Culture Media / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Introduced Species
  • Plant Weeds / metabolism*
  • Pleurotus / growth & development*
  • Pleurotus / metabolism*
  • Triticum / metabolism

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Fungal Proteins