Influence of fruit tree leaves on biological efficiency and nutrient uptake of Pleurotus sajor caju (Fr.) Singer.
Bhargava B. S., Girija Ganeshan
Author Affiliation: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore 560?089, India.
Advances in Horticulture and Forestry 2 : 61-69
Abstract : P. sajor-caju was grown on rice straw or an equal mixture of rice straw and litchi, guava, sapota or mango leaves, at 27 ± 2°C and 80% RH. The number of mushrooms harvested from all flushes and their FW and DW were recorded. Nutrient content of the mushrooms was analysed. Yield of fresh mushrooms/kg dried substrate was highest on rice straw + litchi leaves (481.5 g), followed by rice straw alone (456.5 g). Biological efficiency was calculated on the basis of weight of dried mushroom/kg dried substrate, weight of fresh mushroom/kg fresh substrate and weight of fresh mushroom/kg dried substrate. Highest biological efficiency was obtained with rice straw + guava leaves for the first 2 methods of calculation, and with rice straw + litchi leaves for the third method. The merits of the different methods of calculation are discussed. Highest nutrient uptake/kg dry substrate of N, P, Ca, Mg, S, Na, Fe and Mn based on DM yield multiplied by nutrient content was obtained on rice straw + guava leaves.