Identifying High-Quality Cost Effective Growing Media to Enhance Mushroom Production in Sri Lanka (American Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus))

Abstract

The Research, titled Identifying High-Quality, Cost-Effective Growing Media to Enhance Mushroom Production in Sri Lanka, addresses the need to identify sustainable and affordable substrates for the cultivation of American oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). The research responds to the growing demand for mushrooms in Sri Lanka and the challenges posed by the limited availability of traditional growing media such as rubber sawdust. The study evaluates 11 different media, including combinations of rubber sawdust with materials like mango sawdust, paddy straw, and banana leaves. The methodology involved a randomized complete block design with 20 replicates per treatment to ensure the accuracy of results. Key variables measured included mycelial colonization, yield, and biological efficiency, with sterilization and controlled environmental conditions maintained throughout. The study concluded that rubber sawdust, when combined with mango and lunumidella sawdust, significantly enhanced yield and mycelial growth. Although paddy straw and banana leaves offered cost-effective alternatives, they required further optimization to improve productivity. Ultimately, the findings suggest these locally available, nu