Utilization of grass plants for cultivation of Pleurotus citrinopileatus

The stalks of several grass plants, such as Panicum repens (PRS), Pennisetum purpureum (PPS) and Zea mays (ZMS), were used for producing Pleurotus citrinopileatus. Mycelial growth rate, biological efficiency and mushroom weight obtained from the cultivation of P. citrinopileatus under different combination substrates were investigated. The most suitable substrate for mycelial growth was 30 ZMS + 60 S, followed by 60 ZMS + 30 S and 30 PPS + 60 S. There were at least six flushes for all the substrates containing P. repens stalk, P. purpureum stalk and Z. mays stalk, respectively, and their biological efficiencies were all higher than that of the control (40.75%) during the 3 months of cultivation period. The most suitable substrate for high biological efficiency was 45 ZMS + 45 S (65.40%), followed by 45 PRS + 45 S (57.58%), 60 ZMS + 30 S (57.23%). 60 PRS + 30 S (56.85%) and 30 PPS + 60 S (53.58%). The highest mushroom weight in different flushes for all the substrates was almost on the second flush, except 30 PRS + 60 S and 60 PPS + 30 S. Based on the biological efficiency of the substrates tested, Z. mays stalk appeared to be the best alternative material for growing P. citrinopileatus. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.