Suitability of various substrates for cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius in Konkan Region of Maharashtra.

Mild tropical humid climate persists in Konkan region throughout the year within a range of 23 - 35 0 C. This climate is conducive for the commercial cultivation of oyster mushroom. Locally available substrates such as paddy straw, arecanut husk, coconut husk, banana pseudostem, groundnut shells, sugarcane bagasse and wheat straw alone and in combination with rice bran and wheat bran were used. Maximum biological efficiency of P. pulmonarius was recorded on paddy straw (76.30%) followed by wheat straw (74. 53 %). In case of supplemented substrates, the maximum biological efficiency of the mushroom was recorded on paddy straw supplemented with wheat bran (85.40%). This was followed by paddy straw supplemented with rice bran (82.63%) and wheat straw supplemented with wheat bran (82.26).