EVALUATION OF MUSHROOM TYPES SUITED FOR KUTTANAD THROUGH PARTICIPATORY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

The present study was undertaken with a view to evaluate mushroom types best suited for cultivation in Kuttanad during rainy and summer seasons based on Participatory Technology Development (PTD), nutrient analysis and consumer survey. Results confirmed that pink oyster, Pleurotus eous (875.5 g/bed) was significantly superior in mean yield over Pleurotus florida (786 g/bed) and Pleurotus sajor- caju (671.7g/bed). During the rainy season (July- August 2012), highest biological efficiency (87.5%) was exhibited by Pleurotus eous compared to Pleurotus florida (78.6%). Mean yield of pink oyster (790 g) was on par with milky mushroom Calocybe indica (800g). Nutrient analysis of different types of mushroom harvested from different types of substrate revealed that pink oyster was nutritionally better as it contained lower carbohydrate, higher protein and highest dietary fibre compared to Pleurotus florida, Hypsizygus sp. and Pleurotus sajor-caju. Mineral content was also optimum when compared to other mushrooms under study with a good amount of potassium (2800 ppm). In the comparative analysis of nutrients of different mushroom types grown on steam sterilized paddy straw , concentration of proximates like carbohydrate (15%) and fibre (3.4%) was maximum in pink oyster when compared to Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus sajor-caju. With regard to mineral content also, Pleurotus eous showed maximum concentration of magnesium (174 ppm) and zinc (16.9 ppm). In consumer survey, pink oyster ranked second in consumption (56%) and was mainly due to its less availability when compared to Pleurotus florida. Based on the PTD trials, nutrient analysis and consumer survey, pink oyster- Pleurotus eous can be recommended for cultivation in Kuttanad region of Kerala for both rainy and summer seasons. Pleurotus florida also can be recommended for rainy season and Pleurotus eous and Calocybe indica for summer season of Kuttanad.