TY  - BOOK
AU  - Amelinora Tariang
AU  - Heera G (Guide)
TI  - Suitability of Pleurotus ostreatus (DMRP-30) for cultivation in Kerala
U1  - 632.3 
PY  - 2023///
CY  - Vellayani
PB  - Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture
KW  - Plant pathology
KW  - Pleurotus ostreatus (DMRP-30)
KW  - Cultivation
KW  - Sporophore characters
N1  - MSc
N2  - The present study entitled “Suitability of Pleurotus ostreatus (DMRP-30) for 
cultivation in Kerala” was conducted at AICRP on Mushroom Laboratory, Department of 
Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2020-2022 with an objective to 
standardize the spawn production and substrate for the unexploited Pleurotus ostreatus
(DMRP-30). The culture was initially procured from ICAR-DMR (Directorate of 
Mushroom Research), Solan and used for spawn preparation followed by cultivation on 
paddy straw.
Morphological characterisation of P. ostreatus (DMRP-30) revealed that the 
sporocarps, were white, moderate to big oyster shaped (7.87 cm x 5.32 cm) with 
eccentric, slightly pubescent stipe (3.85 cm thick). The spore print was white. The studies 
on microscopic characters disclosed that hypae (2.32 μm width) was hyaline, septate, 
with numerous clamp connections. The basidia (21.48 μm x 6.11 μm) were clavate with 
tetra sterigmata and four smooth elliptical basidiospores (8.85 μm x 4.46 μm).
Cultural and physiological studies showed that potato dextrose agar was the best 
medium for mycelial growth of P. ostreatus with a growth rate of 1.11 cm day-1
and took 
minimum period for completion of growth in Petri dish (9 days). The optimum
temperature and pH was identified as 30 ℃ and 7-7.5 respectively. The lower 
temperature of 20 ℃ and acidic pH of 4 retarded the mycelial growth. Maximum 
mycelial biomass was obtained from malt extract broth and oatmeal broth at 21 and 30 
DAI respectively (0.6 and 0.8 g mycelial dry weight).
Among various spawn substrate (grains) viz., paddy, wheat, sorghum, maize and 
ragi, paddy was found to be the best spawn base with a thick fluffy mycelial growth, 
minimum days for complete mycelial colonization (18 days) and minimum contaminants. 
The total yield from beds prepared with paddy grains spawn was also higher (644.67 g 
kg-1
of substrate) with out any contaminants compared to sorghum grains which was on 
par. 
Evaluation of various substrates viz., paddy straw, rubber saw dust, coir pith 
amended with rice and wheat bran (10 %) and neopeat for production of P. ostreatus in 
two seasons showed paddy straw as the optimal substrate with a maximum yield of 
585.60 g (April) and 761.50 g (September) from three harvests. The sporocarp production 
in September took minimum period with bigger sporocarps and enhanced yield when 
compared to April. The maximum number (63.0) and weight of sporocarps (7.80 g) was 
recorded from mushrooms harvested from paddy straw substrate followed by neopeat and 
sawdust. The coirpith amended with wheat bran and rice bran beds failed to produce 
sporocarps due to heavy contamination with Trichoderma spp. Pest like sciarid flies, 
phorid flies, staphylinid beetles and slugs were predominant during the sporocarp 
formation stage in the different substrates used. The major fungal contaminants observed 
were Trichoderma spp. and Coprinus spp. 
The proximate analysis of P. ostreatus revealed the constituents including 
moisture (83.50 %) carbohydrate (38 %), protein (13 %), fibre (5.16 %) and fat (2.17 %).
The organoleptic characters of P. ostreatus was compared to P. florida and H. 
ulmarius where sensory rating scores for appearance, colour, flavour, texture and taste 
were done. P. ostreatus was found to be highly acceptable and preferred with 40 per cent
evaluators liking it very much compared to P. florida (30 %) and H. ulmarius (20 %).
Mushrooms stored in refrigerated condition (15 ℃) had better shelf life than those 
stored at room temperature (28 ± 2 C). The packaging material (polypropylene – 0.20” 
thickness) enhanced the keeping quality of P. ostreatus both at room temperature and 
refrigerated condition compared to polyethylene ( 0.15” ). Maximum shelf life (4 days) 
was observed when sporocarps were packed in perforated polypropylene and kept in 
regulated condition at 15 ℃.
The study indicated that the strain DMRP - 30 of P. ostreatus can be successfully 
cultivated in Kerala using the locally available substrates for spawn production and 
cultivation. Good yield, proximate constituents and better shelf life could contribute to its 
consumer and market acceptability in the state
ER  -