Journal of
Agricultural Biotechnology and Sustainable Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Agric. Biotech. Sustain. Dev.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2340
  • DOI: 10.5897/JABSD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 144

Article in Press

Production of indigenous mushrooms spawn using agricultural substrates

Njeru P. W., Wagara I. N., Kariuki S. T., and Muchiri S. N.

Indigenous oyster mushrooms occur naturally when conditions are favorable. Good quality spawn is a major challenge for the small scale farmers who would like to domesticate indigenous mushrooms. The use of wheat grain in mushroom growing industries for spawn production causes a threat to food security. The aim of this study was to test agricultural wastes as alternative substrates for indigenous mushrooms spawn production. Different agricultural wastes including straws of wheat, barley and beans, maize cobs and sawdust were sterilized and tested for spawn production. All the experiments were conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) design and the data was analysed using SAS software and means were separated using least significant difference tests (LSD). There was a significant difference at P<0.05 in mycelia colonization and pinning period when different spawn types were inoculated on bean and wheat straw substrates. Bean straw spawn had the lowest colonization and pinning period in both bean and wheat straw substrates and was the best agricultural waste spawn. There was a significant difference on second flush yields between maize cob and wheat grain spawn (29.3±7.5 and 58.1±13.6), respectively when inoculated on bean straw.

Keywords: Indigenous oyster mushroom, spawn, substrate, pinning, colonization, flush.