ABSTRACT

This study investigated the cultivation, yield performance and nutritional composition of Hypsizygus ulmarius grown on agricultural waste from Musa sapientum (MS), M. paradisiaca (MP), M. accuminata (MA), MS+MP, MS+MA, MP+MA, MS+MP+MA carried out in the laboratory and mushroom house of the Department of  Plant Science and Biotechnology. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The completely randomized design was used. Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out at 95% level of significant while NDMRT was used to separate the means. The result shows that MS+MA have the shortest fruiting time of 12 days while MP, MP+MA have the longest that took 14 days. The largest cap-size was obtained in MP while the smallest cap-size was in MA. The longest stipe length was produced by MS+MP while MS+MA have the shortest stipe. MP+MA substrates gave the highest biological yield while the least was recorded by MS+MA. Biological Efficiency was best at 76.58% produced by MP+MA and lowest at 56.48% by MS+MA. The proximate composition (%) results are as follow. Crude protein ranged from (15.76 + 0.11 – 22.13 + 0.32), fat (2.20 + 0.28 – 4.05 + 0.21), Fibre (17.60 + 0.28 – 22.40 + 0.28), Ash (11. 00 + 0.00 – 11.90 + 0.04), moisture (6.00 + 0.00 – 7.60 + 0.00), carbohydrates (37.83 + 0.39 – 43.63 ± 0.21). Vitamins composition (mg/100g) results are as follows: B1 (0.68 + =.00 – 0.91 + 0.16), B2 (0.38 +0.01 – 0.62 +. 0.00), B3 (0.78 + 0.00 – 2.84 + 0.71), A (4.81 + 0.23 – 8.70 + 0.00), C (4.4- + 0.00 – 7.30 + 0.14). The mineral composition(mg/100g) analysis showed that ranges Mg (104. 5a + 0.00 – 275. 60 + 0.57), Ca²⁺(285.81 + 0.87 – 348.29 + 0.00), P  (124.80 + 0.00 – 201.90 + 0.14), Na⁺(5.82 + 0.11 – 10.44 + 0.30), K⁺ (372. 40 + 0.00 – 499.10 + 1.55), The phytochemical compositions are as follows: Tannin (0.56 + 0.00 - 0. 75 + 0.00)mg/kg, HCN – (0.01 + 0.00 – 0.05 + 0.00) mg/kg, Alkaloids (7.00 + 0.28 – 11.80 + 0.28)mg/kg, Steroids (0.36 + 0.00 – 1.11 + 0.03) mg/kg, Carotenoids  (0.06 + 0.00 = 0.14 + 0.00) Saponins  (2.83 + 0.11 – 4.30 + 0.28), Phenols (2.42 + 0.05 – 4.19 + 0.16). The heavy metals (ppm) results are as follows: lead (Pb) (0.15 + 0.00 – 0.18 + 0.00), Cd (0.10 + 0.00 – 0.16 + 0.01), Mn (1.79 + 0.04 – 2.56 + 0.04), Cu = 0.13 + 0.00 – 0.39 + 0.04), Hg contents were not defined. The results obtained indicate that H. ulmarius can be easily grown on the above mentioned substrates. Also it is also a good source of phytochemicals, proximate component and mineral nutrients needed for maintenance of good health. Also the heavy metals are in acceptable concentration levels. Thus H. ulmarius constipated on MS, MP, MA, MS+MP, MS+MA, MP+MA, MS+MP+MA are healthy and safe for human consumption. Also the substrates used for the growth of H. ulmarius are recommended for use by farmers and other people interested in mushroom cultivation.