Dr. Ernesto T. Miguel, Mrs. Irene Calsiyao, Mr. Joseph Labbutan
Edited by Marciano Paroy Jr.
ABSTRACT
The “Adaptability of Pleurotus ostreatus under two Tabuk Weather Conditions” has been conducted from August 2005 to July 2006. The fist component was conducted from August 2005 to February 2006 while the second was began in January 2006 and ended in July 2006. The study aimed to determine and compare the yield performance of Pleurotus spp. under the two weather conditions of Tabuk and to employ enhancement mechanisms to culture pleurotus spp. under the two weather conditions.
Pleurotus spp. performed better in season A (August – February). It exhibited more flushes, shorter interval between flushes, and higher yield when compared to that of season B (January – July). The strategy employed was to wrap the growing bags with pieces of cloth and to lightly spray with mist twice a day to maintain moisture.
Despite the enhancement of moisture in the growing house, the pleurotus spp. could hardly survive from February to July when the weather condition of Tabuk becomes very warm.
The growing of Pleurotus ostreatus is recommended to be conducted during the cool months of August to February. The growing house must also fulfill the growing requirements of Pleurotus ostreatus.
Rationale
Pleurotus ostreatus thrive in cool and humid conditions. This was introduced in Benguet Province basically because of its high altitude and cool temperature.
Basically, Pleurotus spp. can thrive under warm condition as proven by the study conducted at the Kalinga Apayao State College Experimental Research area. The culturing of mushroom under the two different weather conditions of Tabuk is yet to be determined – which encouraged the researchers to conduct the study. Also, possible enhancement mechanism in attaining a yield regardless of warm or cool condition for a year-round production of mushroom further compelled the researchers to conduct this study.
Objectives
1. To determine and compare the yield performance of Pleurotus spp. under the two weather conditions of Tabuk.
2. To employ enhancement mechanisms in culturing Pleurotus ostreatus under the two seasons.
Methodology
Materials
The substrate used in the study was sawdust. Other materials include rice bran, agricultural lime, polypropylene bags, cotton, rubber band, alcohol, alcohol lamp, inoculating needles, notebook, ultra-violet lamp, disinfecting table, thermometer, rake, shovel.
Methods
The study was conducted coving season A – August to February which is described to be cooler than that of season B – January to July. Enhancement mechanisms to maintain humidity in the growing house were employed.
Procedure and Preparation
1. Collection of sawdust. Sawdust was collected from different furniture shops in the locality.
2. Curing of collected sawdust. Sawdust was dried for a month to eliminate unwanted microorganisms that cause contamination.
3. Preparation of substrate. Cured substrate was sifted to remove unwanted foreign materials. The substrate was mixed with rice bran and agricultural lime with a ratio of 80:20:1. The mixture was sprinkled with water and mixed thoroughly until at least 60% moisture content was attained.
4. Bagging/Packing. Each polypropylene bag was filled with the mixture up to two-thirds. It was adequately compacted and then punctured at the center using a wooden tool. A ring was placed at the opening of each bag. Cotton ball was used to plug the opening of each bag. The bag was further sealed using newspaper and secured with rubber band.
5. Sterilization. An autoclave was used to sterilize the growing bags. It was filled up to 1.5 inches deep and adequately lined to prevent injury of the bags which were arranged inside the autoclave and sterilized at 20 psi. for 2 hours.
6. Cooling Period. After sterilization, the bags were cooled for at least a day after which they were exposed to ultra-violet light for 30 minutes.
7. Inoculation of Sterile Bags. Aseptic inoculation of bags was done inside the UV room to avoid contamination. An alcohol lamp was placed at the opening. The bags were uncovered and inoculated with the use of an inoculating needle. They were closed and resealed after.
8. Incubation. The bags were brought to the darkroom which was thoroughly cleaned with alcohol. Growth of mycelia was monitored.
9. Transfer of bags to the Growing House. Prior to the transfer of bags, the growing house was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with Chlorox. Ropes were installed to hold the bags. The bags were acclimatized in their new area for four days. When pinheads were transparent, the bags were unplugged to allow the growth of mushroom.
10. Misting. Bags were moistened every now and then to maintain moisture.
11. Harvesting. Basiodiocarps were handpicked when they exhibited maturity.
12. Scrapping. This was done after every harvest.
Discussion of Results
The following are the results of the study. Each season made use of 50 growing bags. The data gathered for season B is partial. The first harvest was on April 7, 2006.
Table 1. Number of Days For Mycelia To Fill Bag From Inoculation.
Seasons
Number of Days for Mycelia to Fill Bags From Inoculation
Season A (August to February)
35 days
Season B (January to July)
60 days
The mean number of days it took the mycelia to fill 50 bags is 35 days for season A and 60 days for season B, from the beginning of inoculation. In season A, the shortened number of days for the mycelia to fill a bag is 29 days and the longest period is 35 days. In season B, the shortest time is recorded at 50 days and the longest is 70 days after inoculation.
Table 2. Mean Weight of Flush in gram.
Seasons
Mean Weight of Flush (gram)
Season A (August to February)
125
Season B (January to July)
*115
The average weight for Season A study is 125 gm. The data for season B is the first harvest with mean weight of 115 gm. No flushes occurred after the first harvest on April 7, 2006.
Table 3. Mean Interval between Flushes in days.
Seasons
Mean Interval between Flushes (days)
Season A (August to February)
17
Season B (January to July)
—
The average interval between flushes for Season A is 17 days. However, there are bags that performed better with interval of 10 days. No data is taken for season B because no flushes occurred up to the present since the first harvest.
Table 4. Number of flushes per Bag
Seasons
Number of Flush
Season A (August to February)
2-3
Season B (January to July)
1
Season A recorder 2-3 flushes per bag while season B recorded 1 flush per bag despite the employment of measures to decreased the adverse weather condition.
Table 5. Yield per bags in grams
Seasons
Yield per bag (gram)
Season A (August to February)
2250
Season B (January to July)
—
The computed yield per bag of season A is 2250 grams for the duration of six months while the yield of season B is yet to be determined until the end of July. But based on the initial harvest, it is safe to conclude that season B will exhibit lesser yield than that of season A.
Table 6. Frequency of contamination
Seasons
Number of bags Contaminated
Season A (August to February)
2 bags
Season B (January to July)
15 bags
During season A, two bags were contaminated while they were in the growing house. In season B, a total of 15 bags were contaminated. Five bags exhibited contamination while still in the dark room and ten bags were contaminated in the growing house despite aseptic laboratory measures undertaken.
Table 7. Environmental condition.
Seasons
Temperature (°C)
Relative Humidity
Season A (August to February)
16-30
75-94
Season B (January to July)
27-32
60-79
The lowest temperature for season A was recorded at 16 °C, and the highest was at 30 °C. The relative humidity in season A ranged from 75 – 94. Season B registered a temperature from 27 –32 °C with a relative humidity ranging from 60 –70 despite measures undertaken to maintain higher moisture in the growing house.
Conclusion
The performance of Pleurotus ostreatus is adversely affected by warm weather conditions.
Recommendations
- Pleurotus ostreatus should be grown from August to February in large quantities when the weather condition of Tabuk is favorable to the specie.
- The growing house of KASC should be renovated to respond to the physical requirements of a growing area. Specifically, the ceiling and roofing should be raised.
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