Comparative Studies of the Effects of Natural and Artificial Buffered Wastes on Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum Performances

Abstract

Comparative studies of the effects of natural and artificial buffers on Pleurotus and Ganoderma performances grown on empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFBOP) were carried out using standard microbiological methods. Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotusostreatus were cultivated on both natural buffer (decay banana pseudostem extract T1) and artificial buffer (agricultural lime T2)). Biweekly observations were done for 42 days for complete colonization. It was observed that the ramification rates of Pleurotusostreatus grown on natural and artificial buffers when measured had the following data; natural buffer waste (T1) as11.5, 13.9, 15.6, 16.9, 17.8, and 19.7cm while the artificial buffered wastes (T2) had7.2, 9.9, 12.1, 14.8, 15.4 and 17.1cm. The fruiting bodies of Pleurotus grown on T1 and T2 were observed and weighed for 3 weeks. T1 yielded 184, 307, and 500kg on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd flushes respectively while T2 showed 127, 170, and 230kg respectively on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd flushes respectively. The ramification rates of Ganoderma lucidum grown on T1 and T2 of EFBOP had the following data 0, 0,4.3, 9.8, and 11.8 and 18.6 cm while T2 recorded 0, 0, 3.7, 8.5, 9.7 and 15.3 cm respectively. The fruiting bodies of Ganoderma yielded on T1 0, 0, and 5.0kg on the 2nd and 3rd flushes respectively while T2 showed the minimum fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum 0,0 and 4.0kg on the 2nd and 3rd flushes respectively. The T1 with natural buffered wastes supplemented with decay banana pseudostem extract (DBPE) colonized faster regarding some days to complete mycelial growth and yielded more mushrooms than T2 of agricultural lime. Ganoderma lucidum had longer ramification and fruiting periods than period than Pleurotus. Data generated were analyzed by simple mean, standard deviation, and percentage. It is therefore recommended that natural buffers should be used for the cultivation of mushroom since it contains no artificial additives that could be harmful to health. Farmers are encouraged to use locally available substrates from agricultural by-products that are abundant and economically feasible.