Abstract:
Investigation was carried out on the effect of mutagens on the spawn of Pleurotus
pulmonarius cultivated on some straws from grass family. The effects of these substrates were
also studied on the yield and proximate composition of the mushroom. Mushroom yield was
significantly higher in mushroom grown on all the five substrates when treated with
hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HA) and ultraviolet radiation for 10 minutes and 6 minutes
respectively. Mushroom spawns treated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride showeda negative
correlation with increased mutagen concentration. Results of proximate analysis showed that
P. pulmonarius cultivated on sorghum straw had the highest protein content of 31.66%,
highest crude fibre (13.09%),and the least carbohydrate (32.18%) when treated with
ultraviolet radiation for 10minutes.Treatment with HA showed higher protein and fibre
contents when compared with the control but lower to that obtained with UV light treatment.
Mushroom fruit bodies harvested from substrate of sorghum straw showed best biological
efficiency (67.53%)and highest protein content (26.45%).Highest fibre content was recorded
in P. pulmonariuscultivated on bamboo straws (9.52%) followed by sorghum straws
(8.13%).Sorghum straw was the best substrate for the cultivation of P. pulmonariusand
ultraviolet light and hydroxylamine hydrochloride could be employed to improve the yield,
proteinand fibrecontents of the mushroom.
