Abstract:
Alternative re-usable substrate containers for fructification are required because plastic bags currently used
suffocate soil biotic entities. They are a cost for mushroom farmers who purchase plastic bags in every
oyster mushroom crop and they are left as non-biodegradable wastes, which are disposed of to the
environment after every oyster mushroom cropping. On the other hand, oyster mushroom contains
essential nutritional elements comparable to leafy vegetables.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of substrate types and substrate
containers on yield, biological efficiency, size and solid content of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus;
and to compare mineral content of mushrooms produced from different types of substrates to common
leafy vegetables.
Methodology and results: Substrate containers: clear plastic bags, re-usable substrate containers (RSC),
coloured plastic bags, shelved clear plastic bags and substrates: banana leaves, rice straws and maize
cobs were used to grow oyster mushrooms. The experiment was carried out in complete randomized block
design (CRBD) in a factorial arrangement. The mineral content of oyster mushroom grown on rice straws,
Leucaena leucocophala, sorghum grains, banana leaves and maize cobs substrates were compared in a
CRBD to those of pumpkin leaves (Curcubita spp.), narrow-leaved African night shade (Solanum villosum),
broad-leaved African night shade (Solanum scabrum), cowpea leaves (Vigna unguiculata), cabbage
(Brassica spp.), sweet potato leaves (Ipomea batatas), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) and cassava leaves
(Manihot esculentus L.). Mushroom yields and BE in RSC were comparable to non-RSC. The highest
yields (1,116.25 g/g) and BE (105.75%) were produced from rice straws substrate in coloured bags
followed by RSC (yield 694.6 g/g, BE 65.6%). Mushroom solids content (19.4%) was highest from banana
leaves substrates. The highest Fe, Zn, Se and Ca were obtained from amaranth, oyster mushrooms
produced from rice straws, narrow- and broad-leaves African nightshade and pumpkin leaves respectively.
Conclusion and application of results: The utilization of RSC to produce oyster mushrooms protects the
environment from disposed plastic bags which are non-biodegradable and if burned may cause ill-health
effect to the human. Additional research is needed to specify quality of material to be used in the
manufacture of RSC and specifications to suit cultivation of oyster mushrooms. In addition, consumption of
oyster mushrooms in combination with other vegetables complements availability of various essential
dietary elements such as Fe, Zn, Se and Ca.
