Abilities of Tectona grandis and Celtis zenkeri (Hardwood) Sawdust as Substrates of Pleurotus Species and Their Indigenous Fungi

Mushroom cultivation has continued to receive growing attention because of its nutritional and medicinal values. However, this study examined the effect of hardwood sawdust on the growth of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius were investigated. Relationship between fungal incidence of the substrates (sawdust) and that of the mushroom were examined. Both Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius were inoculated on fermented and unfermented sawdust of Tectonal grandis and Celtis zenkeri. The fruiting bodies of the mushrooms were harvested and the growth parameters and biological efficiency was recorded. The isolated resident fungi were identified after obtaining pure cultures. The collected data were subjected to analysis (ANOVA) using Generalized Linear Model Procedure (GLM) of Statistical Analysis software (SAS). Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at p ≤ 0.05.

Some of the growth parameters of P. ostreatus were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) better than that of P. pulmonarius. Tectona grandis and Celtis zenkeri sawdust had significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on different growth parameters of the two mushrooms. Fermentation or non-fermentation of the substrates (sawdust) had no significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on growth parameters of the mushrooms. Growth parameters of the two mushrooms were significantly better in 0% additive (p ≤ 0.05) than in the other additive concentrations. Five fungi were identified as indigenous fungi of the unfermented sawdust which did not significantly differ from those of the fermented sawdust and mushrooms. Nutritional composition of the mushrooms that grew on fermented and unfermented sawdust were good and comparable. The mushrooms were rich in protein, fibre, ash, moisture, fat and carbohydrate. Cultivation of mushrooms on hardwood sawdust is thus an effective means of managing such waste.