Comparative Evaluation of Lignocellulosic Substrates on Growth, Yield, Nutritional Quality, and Economic Efficiency of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation is an efficient and sustainable method for converting lignocellulosic agro-wastes into nutritionally valuable food. The present study was conducted during 2025 - 2026 to evaluate the influence of different substrates on growth, yield, biological efficiency, quality parameters, and economic returns of oyster mushroom. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments paddy straw, banana sheath, sugarcane bagasse, coir pith, and sawdust each replicated three times. Significant differences were observed among substrates for all parameters studied. Banana sheath exhibited superior performance, recording the shortest spawn run (14 days), earliest pinhead initiation (17 days), and minimum time to first harvest (21 days). It also produced better morphological traits, including higher stipe length (5.8 cm), larger pileus diameter (8.2 cm), greater number of fruiting bodies (21), and higher individual weight (25 g). The highest total yield (1160 g) was recorded in banana sheath, followed by paddy straw (1050 g), whereas sawdust produced the lowest yield (840 g). Biological efficiency was maximum in banana sheath (116%), indicating efficient substrate utilization. Nutritional analysis revealed higher protein (27%), carbohydrate (47%), and ash content (9%) in mushrooms grown on banana sheath. Economic analysis showed the highest net return (₹218) and benefit - cost ratio (2.67) for banana sheath. The study concludes that banana sheath is an effective, economical, and sustainable alternative substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation.