Comparative evaluation of three edible mushroom types based on yield attributes

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify a high yielding edible mushroom type/s adaptable to the southern region based on yield attributes. Two types of wild mushrooms with proven culinary attributes were compared with that of cultivated Pleurotus species. Hence, the present investigation was carried out at Agriculture Research Station, Telijjawila from 2019 to 2020 to modify the cultivation technique employing different substrates on ways to accelerate the fructification process, which was delayed in the previous study. The objective of this trial was to compare the growth of two wild mushroom strains of the milky type (Calocybe) with that of the commonly grown Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom in the southern region. The trial consisted of five treatments: T1- 100% sawdust, T2- 75% sawdust + 25% SMS (Spent Mushroom Substrate), T3- 50% sawdust + 50% SMS, T4- 25% sawdust + 75% SMS, and T5- 100% SMS. The experiment was conducted in the mushroom shed using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 25 bags. It was carried out over two consecutive cropping periods, from December 2019 to April 2022 and from May 2022 to September 2022. The spawns of the wild mushrooms and oyster mushrooms were prepared at the research station and then inoculated separately into sterilized compost substrates. The cultivation practices were conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the Department of Agriculture (DOA). The growth parameters, including morphological characteristics, asymmetry index, and yield, were compared among the different treatments. A 3×5 factorial experiment was used to analyze the interaction effects, and the data was analyzed using the SAS (Statistical Analysis System) package. In contrast to the higher growth rate observed in the Pleurotus strain during the vegetative phase, the results showed that both wild strains had significantly higher yield values at p>0.05 in all treatments. The highest yield was obtained in the treatment where SMS and sawdust were used in equal ratios. In terms of market potential, the extended shelf life with an asymmetric index ≥1 in both wild mushroom types would certainly attract both traders and consumers. Additionally, both wild mushrooms showed less vulnerability to insect pest damage.