Laboratory screening of different nutrient media for mycelial growth and cultural characteristics of blue oyster mushroom [Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.: Fr.) Redhead]

Study was conducted to observe the effect of different solid and liquid nutrient media on mycelial growth, cultural characteristics and growth rate of Hypsizygus ulmarius. Five different solid media viz., Potato dextrose agar (PDA), Czapek's Dox agar (CDA), Malt extract agar (MEA), Carrot extract agar (CEA) and Asthana and Hawker's agar (A&HA) and their respective broths were evaluated under laboratory conditions to find out the best physiological conditions for the growth of H. ulmarius. Potato dextrose agar medium was found to be the best medium (76.20 mm) followed by malt extract agar medium (59.40 mm) and Czapek's Dox agar medium (57.00 mm). In liquid media, highest biomass was in carrot extract broth (0.52 g). However, minimum dry weight was in Asthana and Hawkers medium (0.04 g) broth. The mycelial growth in different media showed absolutely white, cottony and fluffy growth with circinate pattern but in Czapek's Dox agar and Asthana & Hawker's medium it was light thin transparent white and become visible only when seen under light.