Effect of Addition of Nutritional Supplements to Substrate on Yield and Protein Content of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotu florida)

In order to investigate the effect of addition of nutritional supplements to substrate on yield of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida(, an experiment was carried out as completely randomized design in three replicates in 2010. In this study, three types of nutritional supplements including alfalfa meal, soybean meal and vermicompost, each at three levels (2.5, 5 and 7.5% of wet substrate), were added to wheat straw substrate, and were compared to control. Traits such as preliminary and total yield, biological efficiency, protein content and mineral phosphorus and potassium concentrations were determined. Results indicated that all traits were significantly affected by nutritional supplements (P<0.01). Preliminary and total yields, biological efficiency and protein content were highest in the substrate of nutritional supplements containing 7.5% vermicompost (831.19 g/kg wet substrate), 2.5% soybean meal (1231.4 g/kg wet substrate), 2.5% soybean meal (171.1%) and 7.5% soybean meal (23.14%), respectively. While, the highest concentrations of phosphorus and potassium were obtained in the substrates containing 5% vermicompost (5.86 mg/g dry matter) and 7.5% vermicompost (24.05 mg/g dry matter), respectively.