High protein complementation with high fiber substrates for oyster mushroom cultures

Agricultural residues have been world widely accepted for oyster mushroom culture. In this study, we used wheat straw, barley straw, maize stem residue, and lawn residue as substrates coupled with wheat bran, rice bran and soybean powder as complements for the growth of Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus ostreatus as edible mushrooms. Shorter growth period and higher yield and biological efficiency were obtained for P. florida than P. ostreatus. Wheat and barley straws which contained high fiber and carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio caused the best growth period, fruiting body weight, yield and biological efficiency. Assessment of substrate and complement combinations indicated that the longest growth period was obtained from barley straw enriched with rice bran (27.00 day). However, the highest fruiting body number (36.33), fruiting body weight (31.17 g), yield (939.33 g), and biological efficiency (187.87%) belonged to wheat straw complemented by soybean powder plus rice bran. In conclusion, the highest yield and biological efficiency was achieved by implementation of composts in which high fiber substrates and high protein complements were combined.