Abstract

Utilization of fermented and non fermented wood wastes by Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Singer, for vegetative growth and fruit bodies production

Author(s): S.G. Jonathan, O.O.Popoola, A,A.Adegboyega

Solid state fermentation was carried out on wood wastes of five economically important Nigerian trees(Mansonia altissima, Nauclea diderrichii, Gmelina arborea, Funtumia africana and Anogeissus leiocarpus)for 90 days. The fermented wood wastes of each tree and non fermented sawdust(control) were used to generate mycelia biomass and fruit bodies of Pleurotus pulmonarius, an edible mushroomfor 48days. The pH of the composted wastes dropped to 4.0/4.1 after 90 days of composting while amino nitrogen content increased significantly. Conversely, lignin content of the fermented wastes decreased considerably at end of fermentation. The greatest lignin reduction for the fermented and non-fermented wood wastes were observed in Gmelina arborea followed in order by Funtumia africana, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Mansonia altissima. Utilization of different wood wastes such as Gmelina arborea, Funtumia africana, Nauclea diderrichii, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Mansonia altissima by Pleurotus pulmonarius, gave Gmelina arborea as the best substrate for the mycelia growth and fruit bodies production of this edible mushroom.