Substrate level optimization for better yield of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) production, using different ratio of rice straw and sugarcane bagasse.

Mushroom cultivation has been identified as a cost-effective technique for converting lignocellulosic wastes. This study utilized a combination of two distinct agro-wastes as a substrate for better Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation. Oyster mushroom has been cultivated on substrates made up of rice straw and sugarcane bagasse with different ratios. This technique gives a significant difference between mycelium running, fruit body formation, yield, biological efficiency, and better-quality taste of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom. A minimum of 19 days were required for 1st harvesting from bag number T4 where substrate ratio was used at 3:2. The maximum yield was found as T4 (886 g/kg) in bag number on the dry substrate from the first flushing. According to proximate analyses, protein contents were increased in treatment bags compared with the control. Anyhow, the enrichment of L-glutamine content in the fruit body was found at 11.8 mg/g from 1st flushing in T4 bag, among the other bags and the flavour was changed due to the substrate level composition. According to the study, 3:2 is an ideal substrate ratio for the development of oyster mushrooms cultivation. According to this ratio, it helps the farmer for minimum time to grow the mushroom fruit body and reduce the lignocellulosic waste materials from the environmental pollution along with increasing the flavour in the fruitbody compared with commonly produced mushroom substrate (T6). Therefore, more research should be conducted to assess the consequences of combining different substrates and decreasing the lignocellulosic biomass by converting a protein-rich edible product through the oyster mushroom.