Affordable cost techniques for growing edible mushrooms

Abstract

Mushrooms are nutritious foods with medicinal value. Cultivation of mushrooms is hindered by poverty in Tanzania communities. A study  to establish mushroom cultivation techniques at affordable cost was conducted at Kinyerezi Dare s Salaam Tanzania in 2022. Three  replicate comprising greenhouse setup and substrate ratios comprising saw dust, banana leaves, grain chaff, lime and sugar were  established and tested their production ability. Substrates were packaged in 100 bags of 2 kg each in their respective ratios  30:30:15:15:15, 25:25:10:10:10 and 20:20;5:5:5 where mushroom spores were inoculated and sparingly watered for 30 days to allow  germination. Mushrooms were harvested twice a week for three months to record germination number and percentage. Data were  analysed using SPSS version 16 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Obtained data were summarized into tables for interpretation  and discussion. Woody greenhouse of palm frond created the most optimal conditions for mushroom growth which were 75% humidity,  250C and 7.5 pH. Substrate combination in a ratio of 20:20:5:5:5 with additional of extra 2 kg sugar produced highest germination  percentage and number which were 17% and 172.8 respectively and indicated a significant difference between trials in germination  percentage P=0.002248, df=2 but not significantly different in germination number P=0.25246, df=2. It was concluded that, edible  mushroom can be grown at an affordable cost using woody greenhouse which influence optimal growth conditions, but also researchers  on future should think on using constant substrate ratio while assessing the others to see if can alter germination number and  percentage. It was recommended to the community to acquare the techniques so as to produce mushroom for health and economy.