SORGHUM STRAW ENRICHED COTTON WASTE GROWING SUBSTRATE MODULATES GROWTH, YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF OYESTER MUSHROOM (PLEUROTUS SAJOR-CAJU)

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate growth, yield and biochemical response of Pleurotus Sajor-Caju mushroom grown on sorghum straw enriched cotton waste growing substrate in Medicinal and Mushroom Lab, Institute of Horticultural Sciences (IHS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Two substrates (cotton waste and sorghum straw) were used alone and with different combinations. Experiments consisted of five treatments T0 (100% Cotton Waste), T1 (100% Sorghum Straw), T2 (75% Sorghum Straw + 25% Cotton Waste), T3 (50% Sorghum Straw + 50% Cotton Waste) and T4 (25% Sorghum Straw + 75% Cotton Waste). Data concerning time taken for spawn run initiation, mycelial growth completion, pinheads initiation, total number of pinheads, time required to harvest 1st, 2ndand 3rd flush, fresh weight of 1st, 2nd and 3rd flush harvested, total yield, pH, total soluble solids, acidity, ascorbic acid contents, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars was recorded. T0 (100 % cotton waste) performed considerably well followed by T4 (75 % cotton waste and 25 % sorghum straw) in relation to different growth, yield and bio chemical attributes.