Yield performance and nutritional value of Pleurotus ostreatus F. florida on different forest wastes

The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield performance and nutritional content of Pleurotus ostreatus f. florida when grown on the fallen leaves/needles of forest trees. It was observed that the time period required for complete spawn run on these substrates varied from 12 to 20 days and minimum period was recorded on the fallen leaves of Dendrocalamus strictus. Maximum biological efficiency (54.4%) was also achieved on the leaves ofDendrocalamus strictus and minimum on Sterculia alata (20.1%). Assessment of nutritional value of P. ostreatus f. florida showed maximum moisture content (93.4%) in sporophores grown on Morus alba, ash content (8.1%) on Dalbergia sissoo, fat content (3.0%) on Eucalyptus globulus, crude fiber content (21.2%) on Pinus roxburghii and protein content (23.8%) on Ficus religiosa. Forest wastes can be effectively utilized for production of oyster mushroom as food supplements as well as for income generation. The use of forest wastes (leaf litter) in oyster mushroom production provides an alternative cellulose source for commercial mushroom production.