Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Peerzada Tabish, Shaheen Kausar Jan, Najeeb Mughal, Mohmmad Aasif Sheikh, Pilla Avinash, Roaf Ahmad Rather, Tariq Aziz Lone, Humira Gulzar, Ishfaq Majeed Shah and Noor Ul Ain

Abstract:
Mushrooms are considered as the important constituent of the human’s diet due to their high nutraceutical value. The mushroom spawn is the basic material for the production of quality mushrooms. The present study was carried out to evaluate the different substrates for spawn production of white oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus florida). Seven locally available substrates viz., maize cobs, maize seeds, wheat grains, chickpea grains, walnut shells, almond chips and barley grains (check) were evaluated for their suitability for the spawn production. Results revealed that walnut shells and almond chips proved to be more efficient substrates with regards to spawn run, spawn texture and pH. The spawn run in walnut shells and almond chips was completed in 6.75 days and 7.00 days, respectively as compared to 7.25 days in barley grains (check). The spawn colour and textures on different substrate showed slight variation, while the spawn colour ranged from ‘brownish-white’ in walnut shells and almond chips, ‘light brown’ in chickpea grains to ‘white’ in other grain substrates, Spawn texture ranged from ‘Cottony’ to ‘Fluffy’. Cottony texture was recorded in chickpea grains, while as in all other substrates ‘fluffy’ texture was observed. pH of the spawn ranged from 6.65 in walnut shells to 7.95 in maize shelled cobs. All the substrates were found suitable for spawn preparation of Pleurotus florida.