Effect of Substrate pH on Yield Performance of Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Abstract

A research was carried out to investigate optimum pH values for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms(P/eurotus ostreatus). Accordingly, initial pH values of the nine different growth substrates were adjusted as 5.4,5.6,7.1,7.3,7.5, 8.1,8.2,8.6, and 8.8 and the final values upon completion of the sterilization procedure was also measured. Sawdust was used as the basal ingredient for substrate preparation with the addition of rice bran, green gram powder, CaC03 and MgS04 as supplements. Experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 9 treatments and 10 replicates. Average yield (g), piles diameter (cm), stalk length (cm) and number of flowers per flush were measured. Average yield was highest in the media with pH 5.6.With the decreasing pH in the medium mushroom yield increased and after pH of 5.6 it was decreased/ However, no significant difference was observed between the treatments on piles diameter, stalk length and number of flowers per flush.