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.:- Chukwukelu, Chinyere R

ABSRACT Pteurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) was grown on locally available agro wastes with the objectives of utilizing the abundant agro wastes in the immediate vicinity of Umuahia- Ikwuano to grow edible mushrooms. The agro wastes used were Vertiver grass (Vertiveria zizanioides), “Achara” (Pennisetum sp.\ guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and Lawn grass (Ehisine indica)Ma\t Extract Agar (MEA) was employed as laboratory medium. Spawn was prepared using millet (Pennisetum polystathum) grains. The substrates were pasteurized to eliminate unwanted micro-organisms and inoculated at the rale 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 average weight of fruitbodies (g) in the 1st flush where there is significant effect. The result should be of interest to P. ostreatus farmers who would need only little input to produce mushroom, making it easier and less expensive. This finding and other observations made in this work are discussed in line with previous records.