Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EVALUATION OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE SUBSTRATES FOR SPAWNPRODUCTION OF PINK PLEUROTUS [PLEUROTUSDJAMOR(RUMPH. EX. FR.) BOEDIJN] MUSHROOM

Shazia Paswal, 1Sardar Singh Kakraliya, Dechan Choskit, Tariq Iqbal and Seethiya Mahajan

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate different substrates for spawn production of Pink Pleurotus. Amongthe five commonly available substrates viz., barley grains, dried pea grains, maize de-shelled-cob, maizegrains and wheat grains were evaluated for their suitability for spawn production of ‘Pink Pleurotus’,barley and maize grains proved more efficient substrates with regards to spawn run, spawn weight, spawncolour, spawn texture and spawn pH. The spawn run in barley and maize grains was completed in 6.90days and 7.20 days, respectively as compared to 8.00 days in wheat grains (check). Barley grains resulted inhighest spawn weight (30.30g) followed by maize grains (28.00g). The spawn weight in other substrateswas significantly lower than the check (27.40g). The spawn weight in maize de-shelled cob and dried peagrains was 22.40 and 20.30 g, respectively. The spawn colour and textures on different substrate showedslight variation and while the spawn colour ranged from ‘Delicate Pink’ to ‘Grace full Pink’, spawn textureranged from ‘Creepy’ to ‘Fluffy’. ‘Delicate Pink’ coloured spawn was recorded on maize de-shelled cobwith ‘Creepy’ spawn texture while spawn colour on dried pea grains was ‘Merrie Pink with ‘Cottony’texture. Spawn colour on all other substrates viz., wheat grains, barley grains and maize grains, was ‘GraceFull Pink’ with ‘Fluffy’ texture. The spawn smell on all the substrates was pleasant.