Yield performance and biological efficiency of empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm pressed fibre (PPF) as substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus

This research was undertaken to evaluate the performance yield and biological efficiency of empty fruit bunch (EFB) and shredded palm pressed fibers (PPF) as an alternative substrate which is widely available for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus. Currently rubber tree sawdust (RS) is used which is of limited supply. In this study, five different substrates were prepared either alone or in combinations in the ratio of 1:1 with rubber tree sawdust. These substrates were supplemented with fixed ratio of rice bran and limestone to increase the yield of Pleurotus ostreatus. Shredded palm pressed fiber (PPF) and rubber sawdust (RS) in the ratio of 1:1 took 52 days for the mycelium to fully colonize the substrate as compared to 49 days for rubber saw dust alone. The performance yield and biological efficiency observed for the substrates comprising of 50% PPF and 50% rubber tree sawdust and 50% EFB and 50% rubber tree sawdust(RS) are 2.325 kg with a biological efficiency of 232.5% and 1.380 kg with a biological efficiency of 138%, respectively. The results obtained show that both shredded palm pressed fiber (PPF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) show great potential as substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus when incorporated with rubber tree sawdust (RS)