Evaluation of Low-Cost Grain-Based Media for Enhanced Mycelial Growth of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus)

This study evaluated the efficacy of low-cost, grain-based media for enhancing the mycelial growth of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) as an alternative to expensive commercial potato dextrose agar (PDA). Six locally available grains including wheat, sorghum, maize, millet, hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus), and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), were tested at concentrations of 10, 30, 50, and 70 g/L in a factorial experiment under controlled laboratory conditions. Mycelial radial growth, colonization time, and phenological traits were measured and compared to PDA medium. Results demonstrated that millet and hyacinth bean at 70 g/L supported the most vigorous mycelial expansion, achieving full colonization (90 mm) by day 9, outperforming Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium, which required 15 days. Higher grain concentrations (50–70 g/L) consistently promoted denser mycelium, rhizomorphic hyphae, and faster growth rates (up to 7.89 mm/day). The study highlights the potential of millet, hyacinth bean, and sorghum as cost-effective, locally sourced alternatives for growth medium, offering a sustainable solution for scaling oyster mushroom cultivation in resource-limited settings like Sudan. These findings support the adoption of grain-based media in mushroom biotechnology to enhance food security and agricultural diversification.