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Effects of Different Substrates and Temperature on the Growth and Yield of Oyster Mushroom (Lentinus sajor-caju Fr.)
Abstract
The study evaluated the effects of three saw dust substrates on the growth and yield of Lentinus sajor-caju at the pathology laboratory of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) under indoor and outdoor temperatures of 28.6ºC and 29.1ºC respectively. The saw dust substrate includes; Triplochiton scleroxylon, Gmelina arborea, and Cordia Millenii. Wheat bran and lime (CaCo3) were incorporated to the substrates as supplements. The mycelial growth was faster at 28.6ºC giving full colonization at 3 weeks in all the substrates, while full colonization was observed in 4 weeks at 29.1ºC. T. scleroxylon substrate recorded best heights at both indoor and outdoor temperatures with 28.1±10.2cm and 14.6±4.40 respectively. G. arborea substrate gave the highest yield at both outdoor and indoor temperatures with 69.5±30.6 g 53.5±10.8 g respectively. There was no significant difference on the growth and yield of L. sajor-caju at the two temperature ranges. Based on the results obtained, G. arborea saw dust was the most suitable substrate and could be recommended for the cultivation of Lentinus sajor-caju.