Use of oil palm kernel meal as a supplement material for abalone mushroom (Pleurotus cystidiosus O.K. Miller) cultivation

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum rate of oil palm kernel meal, for an abalone mushroom (Pleurotus cystidiosus) cultivation. Different concentrations of oil palm kernel meal (5- 20%) were added to pararubber sawdust and used to grow the abalone mushroom in plastic bags. Growth rate of the mycelia, number of days from watering to harvesting and yield were compared to those on 94% sawdust + 5% rice bran + 1% Ca(OH)2. The results showed that 10% oil palm kernel meal was the optimum concentration for abalone mushroom cultivation. Yield on 950 g/bag of 89% sawdust + 10% oil palm kernel meal + 1% Ca(OH)2 was 202.12 g/bag (B.E. = 60.79%) during 120 days of havesting time. Addition of higher concentration of oil palm kernel meal (15-20%) did not increase yield of the basidiocarps.

Keywords

• oil palm kernel meal
• cultivation Pleurotus cystidiosus