The Use Of Vertiver Grass (Vetiveria Zizanioides), Guinea Grass (Panicum Maximum), Achara (Pennisetum Sp) And Lawn Grass (Elusine Indica) In Growing Pleurotus Ostreatus Var. Florida.

ABSTRACT

Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) was grown on locally available agro wastes with the objectives of utilizing the abundant agro wastes in the immiediate vicinity of umuahia- lkwuano to grow edible mushrooms. The agro wastes used were Vertiver grass (Verliveria zizamoides), "Achara" (Pennisetum sp.), guinea grass (panicum maximum) and Lawn grass (Elusine indica).Malt [xtract Agar (MEA) was employed as laboratory medium. Spawn was prepared using millet (Pennisetum polysiathuin) grains. the substrates were pasteurized to eliminate unwanted niicro-organisnis and inoculated at the rate of 25%. P. maximum substrate was the earliest to Produce fruitbodies. This substrate also and lawn grass gave the highest yield of fruitbodies. The result showed no significant effect in all except for The verage weight of fruitbodies (g) in the 1^st flush where there is significant effect. The result should be of interest to P. ostreatus farmers who won Id need only little input to produce mushroom, making it easier and less expensive. This finding and other observations made iii this work are discussed in line with previous records.