Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2002

Effects of composed and non-composed corn cobs, coir dust, and rubber saw dust, all lignocellulosic wastes, on the weekly mycelial growth, mycelial maturity and yield of four strains of two species of oyster mushrooms were determined. Strain 678 on composted corn cobs significantly produced the fastest-growing, earliest maturing and highest-yielding mushroom mycelia among the various treatment used. Interaction effects of substrate and composting were quite high in relation to growth rate and maturity data. With regards to yield, interaction effects between strain and substrates were strongest. Strains 678 gave the highest weekly increment of mycelial growth while strains 852, 572 and 802 showed no significant difference on their growth rate. There was no significant difference on the maturity of strains 852, 678, and 572. Mycelia of strain 802 was last to mature among the four strains. Composted substrates were also determined to give faster-growing, earlier-maturing and higher-yielding mycelia than non-composted substrates. On the average, corn cobs were better than coir dust and rubber sawdust. Rubber sawdust was clearly higher inferior even when composted