Assessing the effect of sorghum spent grain (pito mash) supplementation on the growth performance and yield of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer cultivated on cornstalks

The viability of cornstalks as a substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer cultivation was studied. The effect of sorghum spent grain (pito mash), a nitrogen supplement, on growth performance and yield was also investigated. Three substrate formulae were used, viz., CSS-0 (100% cornstalks + 0% spent grains), CSS-5 (95% cornstalks + 5% spent grains), and CSS-10 (90% cornstalks + 10% spent grains). Most bags achieved complete ramification within 3 weeks after inoculation with spawns. In the second and third weeks, the mycelia growth rate of CSS-5 was significantly higher (Ρ < 0.05) than CSS-0 and CSS-10. CSS-5 also produced the earliest appearance of primordia, and the lowest interval between flushes. Relative substrate nutrient distribution elicited significant differences (Ρ < 0.05) in mushroom yields. The mushroom yields obtained after 6 weeks of harvesting were 118.4, 203.0 and 181.0 g for CSS-0, CSS-5, and CSS-10 respectively. The results of this study indicate that cornstalks are suitable substrates for P. ostreatus cultivation, and 5% sorghum spent grain supplementation is necessary for producing mushrooms with improved yields