Abstract:
Medicinal plants Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Azadirachta indica, Citrus lemon, Cvmbopogon marginatus were investigated for the presence of certain active components in their parts, capable of controlling mushrooms pathogenic microbes which cause great loss in mushroom yield. The dried leaves of the Citrus lemons, lemon grass and Neem cake (dried) were crushed, and the sawdust of Eucalyptus was prepared and were incorporated (at the rate 2% w/w of substrates) with substrates (cotton waste, paddy waste, wheat straw, cotton waste + wheat straw, cotton waste + paddy straw) before compost fermentation. In addition to these, simple composts were also prepared without any medicinal plants products, for comparison purpose, Both groups of composts (simple composts and compost + medicinal plants products) were spawned with selected four strains of Oyster mushroom i.e. two local strain Pleurotus florida (P-17), Pleurotus ostreatus (P-19) and two exotic strains Pleurotus (florida) ostreatus (wc536), Pleurotus ostreatus (wc-522).Spawn running and mushroom fruitification were allowed to develop under optimum environmental conditions.The mushroom yield data on various composts and on composts with specific medicinal plants were calculated. The results showed that presence of Neem cake and Citrus lemon in the substrate increased the yield of Oyster mushroom strains i.e. Pleurotus (florida) ostreatus (wc-536) followed by P. ostreatus (we-522) strain. Neem cake and Citrus lemon were specific in improving yield of mushroom. These results led to conclusion that addition of specific medicinal plants to compost increases the yield of Oyster mushroom by reducing the incidence of diseases by microbes and is more preferable than chemicals due to their lethal effects during human consumption of mushroom.
Page(s):
252-257
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Phytopathology, Volume: 20, Issue: 2, Year: 2008