Fekadu Alemu
Background: Mushroom cultivation is a relatively new applied technology and the mushroom industry is still small compared to many plant crops. In addition, the investment on mushroom production in Ethiopia is low. Solid waste materials are useful in the cultivation of mushrooms used as substrate. Mushroom cultivation is an excellent method of increasing the profitability of an agricultural disposal waste. Objective of this study: The present study was designed to use Ficus vasta leaves of agricultural waste disposal as substrate for cultivation of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in order to effective utilization of solid waste residue through bioconversion into food.
Method of this study: Ficus vasta leaves used as substrate for composting was collected from Dilla University at Main Campus from 2013 October-2014 June. In order to prepare, aerobic composted substrate, about 80% of Ficus vasta leaves were thrashed manually into small pieces through using mortar and pestle. After chopping, mixing the chopped Ficus leaves with Wood ash, Wheat bran, Cow dung and Chicken manure, then the water was added until moisture content was between 40-60%. After two weeks of composting, these substrates were distributed equally into plastic bags of 40x60 cm size at the rate of 3.5kg substrate in triplicates and sterilized for three hours in barrel by fire (figure 4). After cooling; they were inoculated with the spawn (one glass bottle per bag) and mixed thoroughly to facilitate rapid and uniform mycelia growth.
Results of this study: As the result indicated, Ficus leaves were one of the substrate which supports the growth of edible mushroom (oyster mushroom). The fruiting body on the substrates that contains wheat bran and manure, the number and size of fruit body was high and larger when it was compare with alone substrate (Ficus vasta leaves only).
Conclusion: Therefore, Oyster mushroom can be converted these solid waste into vitamin and some essential mineral rich food beside of removal solid wastes from the environments.
