Improving the growth and yield of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) using 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid

Abstract

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are believed to be capable of stimulating the immune system to fight cancer and constitute a rich source of protein, minerals, and vitamins C and B; however; they are very scarce in the market due to lack of  knowledge on the cultivation techniques in South Africa. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the production practices that can encourage the usage of oyster mushrooms, growth and yield of oyster mushroom using 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid; and to determine the number of oyster mushroom harvests from 1-NAA. Six levels of 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid were used, namely, 0.0 (control); 0.1; 0.5; 1; 1.5 and 2 mM, replicated four times. Whilst colonisation differences were not visible in cooler April - July months, but there were highly significant differences in the warm September - November months. Both the 0 mM 1-NAA and 2 mM 1-NAA suppressed the contamination of oyster mushroom spawn in both seasons (April – June or September – November months). The application of 1.0 mmol and 2.0 mmol gave the higher number of harvests during April – June months, while the 0.0 mmol and 1.0 mmol gave the highest number of harvests during September – November months. The application of 1 mM 1-NAA produced the highest fresh mass (g) that influences the significant biological efficiency (%) of oyster mushrooms. The importance of these findings indicates that, the application of 1 mM 1-NAA during cooler April - June months speed up the growth, increase yield, number of harvest and biological efficiency of oyster mushroom. While, in warmer September – November months, there was no need for application as it does not make any difference.

Keywords: Biological efficiency, colonisation, contamination, harvests, Oyster mushrooms.