Utilization of Agrowastes for Production of Protein Rich Food and Biomanure by the White Rot Fungi, Pleurotus pulmonarius

The oyster mushroom Pleurotus pulmonarius could be cultivated in paddy straw substrate at temperature range of 25–28°C and relative humidity of 80–85% throughout the year under controlled conditions with average bioefficiency ranging from 116 to 129.6% in a total cropping cycle of 45–47 days with benefit: cost ratioof 3.3. The nutritive values analyzed showed the presence of 56.01% carbohydrates, 19.64% protein, 5.45% crude fibre, 1.36% fat, calcium 455mg/100g, iron 8.4 mg/100g with total calorific value of 314.96 kcalories/100g and antioxidant activity of 1.18 mg/g. P. pulmonarius being white rot fungi showed good degradation of agro wastes with C: N ratio range of 18: 1 and 24: 1. The cellulose content in degraded wastes ranged from 7.15 to 8.94% and the lignin content ranged from 7.24 to 13.82% in oil palm, cocopeat, banana, sugarcane and cocoa wastes. This study shows the potentiality of P. pulmonarius both for edible purpose and for biodegradation of agrowastes that can best suit the integrated farming system.