Utilization of Jaragua grass (Hyparrhenia rufa) as alternative substrate for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation

The research experiment was carried out using the wheat straw (T1), wheat straw 75% + hyparrhenia rufa grass 25% (T2), wheat straw 50% + hyparrhenia rufa grass 50% (T3), wheat straw 25% + hyparrhenia rufa grass75% (T4), and hyparrhenia rufa) grass 100% (T5) to evaluate the growth and yield parameters of oyster mushroom (P. ostreatus). About 2 kg sized polypropylene bags were used for each substrate. Treatments were replicated three times under completely randomized design. Regression analysis was employed for the growth and yield parameters of P. ostreatus. All of the data generated from this study was statistically examined by one way ANOVA using IBM SPSS version 27 by evaluating the mean and standard deviation at p < 0.05. As per of the finding of this study, all the substrates supported the growth of P. ostreatus mycelia. The minimum time (22.67days) for full mycelia colonization was recorded in T1, which was significantly differ from mycelia colonization duration of T3, T4 and T5, but negligible to T2. The highest biological efficiency value (62.652%) was recorded in T5. The 100% hyparrhenia rufa grass significantly improved the number of fruiting body (16.44/bag), cap diameter (8.333 cm), yield (250.611 g/bag), protein content (37.65%), fiber content (5.243%), and Fe+ (6.85 g/100 mg) of P. ostreatus in overall mean of the flush round. Overall, T5 showed moderate time of mycelia colonization, highest yield parameter and biological efficiency value. Therefore, results of this study demonstrate that hyparrhenia rufa grass could be used as alternative substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation.