Abstract

Utilization of cotton waste substrate with some nitrogen, carbon and agricultural additives for the production of an edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (Florida) was carried out in Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. Substrates were soaked in boiled water for one hour and the excess water was squeezed out with the help of a clean muslin cloth. The cotton waste substrate was filled into boiling tubes and autoclaved at 103 kpa. P. ostreatus was inoculated into the tubes. The mycelia growth length was measured as from 5 to 18 days after inoculation. The summary of the result indicated that Urea of nitrogen source additive was the best supplement that promoted the mycelia growth of P. ostreatus followed by methyl cellulose of carbon source. Yeast extract agar, Casein and Poultry feed additives completely inhibited the mycelia growth of the mushroom. Malted yellow maize, malted sorghum, DL-aspartic acid, D-fructose and methyl cellulose could be used as supplement since they promote mycelia growth of P. ostreatus. The results suggest the usefulness of cotton waste substrate for production of mushroom.