Evaluation of Suitability of Various Agro-Wastes for Productivity of Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Pleurotus eryngii Mushrooms

The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of various lignocellulosic wastes for the cultivation of Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Pleurotus eryngii and to determine the correlations between lignocellulosic content of agricultural wastes and productivity of these mushroom species. In the study, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Pleurotus eryngii were cultivated on oak sawdust (OS), bean straw (BS), safflower hay (SH) and sunflower head residue (SFH). Substrates were analysed for cellulose and lignin content using acid detergent fiber methods Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and Acid detergent lignin (ADL), while N content was determined by Kjeldhal method. Several cultivation parameters (spawn running time, time to first primordia initiation, time to first harvest, yield, biological efficiency (BE%) and avarage mushroom weight) were evaluated during cultivation cycle. The most suitable substrates for mycelial growth showed to be SH and BS while mycelial growth was slower on OS substrate for all Pleurotus species tested. Biological efficiency of P. djamor and P.eryngii cultivated on SH (77.8% and 73.1, respectively) and BS (78.2% and 67.0%, respectively) were higher than OS (62.5% and 66.6%, respectively). The most suitable substrate for P. citrinopileatus was OS (73.9%). It was not found a correlation between chemical content of growing substrates and yield of P. djamor and P. eryngii. On the other hand, unlike P. djamor and P. eryngii, the positive relationship obtained between yield of P. citrinopileatus and cellulose (r2 =0.973) and lignin contents (r2 =0.991) of growing substrates. This result shows that cellulose and lignin contents have not got influence on fructification of P. djamor and P. eryngii, but are an important factor for fruit body formation of P. citrinopiletus. Based on the biological efficiency of the substrates tested, bean straw and safflower hay could be recommended as an alternative substrate to sawdust and wheat straw for P. eryngii and P. djamor cultivation. Morever, sunflower head residue may be used as an alternative for P. citrinopileatus.