Effect of different agricultural by-products on the growth and yield of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea

Abstract

The growth, yield and biological efficiency of Volvariella volvacea strain VVL on three agricultural by-products: nee straw, cotton waste and composted sawdust of Triplochiton scleroxylon were studied. These were used singly and in a combination of a I:I ratio. Primordia were observed after 15 to 20 days on all the substrates with the exception of the composted sawdust, from which no flush was observed. The yields of mushroom on the different substrates were 565.50g, 148.25g, 42.25g and Og for cotton waste, combination of rice straw and cotton waste, rice straw only and composted sawdust only respectively. The biological efficiency (BE) followed the same pattern and ranged from 128.50% for cotton waste to 0.0% for composted sawdust. Based on the yield and BE values, cotton waste is recommended as a substrate to. be used in growing the oil palm mushroom, V. volvacea