The effect of hole (perforation) and hole size of plastic bucket on the fruit body yield and yield characteristics of pleurotus ostreatus var florida:- Okorie, Chisaa L

ABSTRACT

The effect of hole (perforation) numbers and hole size of plastic buckets on the fruit body yield and yield characteristics of Pleurotus ostreatus var florida was investigated. Malt extract agar was used to sub-culture the mushroom mycelium that was used in the spawn preparation. The substrate, Pennisetum straw used to cultivate the mushroom was prepared in the mushroom house. The result of the investigation showed that hole size did not significantly influence the fruit body yield and fresh weight even though there were slight variations in the yield. Hole size influenced the fruit body yield bit influenced the weight of the fruit bodies, pileus size and stipe length. Eighty one holes per bucket had the heaviest fruit bodies and widest pileus, while the longest stipes were recorded in hole number 1 (54 holes). It is, however, recommended that for more yield, and good characteristics of the mushroom, hole size 3 is recommended. The more the holes, however, the more the yield.