The Effect of Cocoa Pods Waste as a Growing Media Supplement on Productivity and Nutrient Content of Brown Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus cystidiosus)

The development of the plantation sector have increased impact of waste of which wood sawdust and cocoa pods wastes. These wastes have the potential to become environmental problems if not treated, but it would be beneficial if it is used as a growing media supplement on oyster mushroom cultivation. The study aims to analyze and assess the effect of the cocoa pods waste as a growing media supplement on productivity and nutrient content of brown oyster mushroom (Pleurotus cystidiosus) has been carried out using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 kinds of treatment comparisons sawdust and cocoa pods waste, ie SC0 (100% sawdust and 0% cocoa pods waste)/control, SC1 (80% sawdust and 20% cocoa pods waste), SC2 (75% sawdust and 25% cocoa pods waste) and SC3 (70% sawdust and 30% cocoa pods waste). The research data has analyzed by one-way anova and followed-Duncan’s at 5%. The results showed that the use of cocoa pods waste by comparison ratio 75% sawdust and 25% cocoa pods waste (SC2) is the best on production and nutrition content of brown oyster mushrooms, and recommended to be applied in the cultivation of oyster mushroom brown. Keywords: brown oyster mushrooms, cocoa pods waste, productivity, nutritions content, growing media supplement