Abstract:
Mushroom production is an important application of microbiology to agriculture, and is a cost-effective means of supplementing human nutrition and generating income while also contributing to environmental waste management. Despite its contribution to food, nutrition, economy, and the environment, mushroom had not received appropriate attention in research, extension, and production packages in Ethiopia. Therefore this study was conducted with the objective of cultivating the three species of oyster mushrooms on seven substrate combinations prepared from groundnut shell and three vegetable wastes (potato peel, onion peel, and cabbage leaves) in different mix ratios. The treatments (3 species x 7 substrates) were applied using CRD in factorial arrangements with three replications. Data were collected on yield, growth parameters, and proximate compositions. The results showed highly significant differences (P<0.01) among species in terms of time to fruiting, number of fruiting bodies, and production rate; and significant differences (P<0.05) in yield at the 3rd flush. Highly significant differences were observed among substrates in terms of the time to fruiting, number of fruiting bodies, yield, biological efficiency, and production rate. Species by substrate interaction effects showed highly significant differences for number of fruiting bodies and stem length. P. ostreatus gave the highest total yield (275.40 g kg-1), biological efficiency (27.54%), and production rate (1.39) with the shortest time for fruiting (21.93 days.).The substrate with 100% GSH resulted in the shortest time to fruiting (19.71 days) and gave the highest values for number of fruiting bodies (23.15), yield at each flush and total yield (407.3 g ka-1), biological efficiency (40.73%) and production rate (2.08.The highest dry matter (11.13%), crude fiber (11.27%), and crude fat (1.95%) contents were obtained from P. ostreatus, whereas the highest ash (11.50%), protein (48.84%), and carbohydrate (67.81%) contents were obtained from P.sajour-caju P. florida, and P. ostreatus, respectively. Generaly, the results revealed the presence of positive associations among the number of fruiting bodies, yield, biological efficiency, and production rate. On the contrary, the results revealed the presence of negative association of time to fruiting with all the yield and related traits (i.e., number of fruiting bodies, BE, and PR). In conclusion, substrates with 100% GSH or vegetable waste mixed with 60% GSH contents can be used for production of Oyster mushroom species with high productivity and production rate. P. ostreatus is more productive than the other two species and groundnut shell and vegetable wastes can be used as cheap sources of locally available substrates for Oyster mushroom cultivation.
