Effect of soaking and boiling of substrate on the growth and productivity of oyster mushroom

The oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer was cultivated on fresh, dried and chopped sugarcane leaves in polythene bags at 500 g per bag. The spawning was done at 50 g/bag, followed by soaking and boiling of substrate. The pinheads were noted first (11.25 days after spawning) in case of soaking till it starts boiling followed by soaking and boiling for 15 and 75 minutes. Minimum period for maturation of fruiting bodies (5.25 days) was in case of soaking and boiling for 30 minutes and soaking and boiling for 75 minutes. The minimum period between flushes (4.25 days) was recorded in soaking and boiling for 30 minutes, followed by soaking and boiling for 75 and 90 minutes. The maximum number of flushes (2.75) was recorded in case of soaking and boiling for 75 minutes followed by 90 and 60 minutes. The maximum fresh yield (61.75%) was obtained in case of soaking and boiling for 75 minutes, followed by soaking and boiling for 90 and 60 minutes.