Abstract

The Mushroom Volvariella  volvacea  was cultivated on various agro wastes. Maximum mycelia extensions were recorded in cotton waste (98.23 ± 0.1 mm) and a combination of rice husk and cotton waste (101.87 ± 0.4 mm). A decrease in moisture content resulted in significant increase percentage crude protein content of mushroom-treated waste compared to the untreated. Moisture content decreased from 61.48 in the mushroom-treated groundnut shell to 51.20% in the untreated. Untreated Groundnut shell had crude protein of 3.61% while treated had 8 .42%. Crude protein content of sorghum shaft increased from 2.51% in the untreated to 8.77% in treated waste. Similar trend was observed in the various waste combinations. While changes in crude fibre and ash content of treated and untreated wastes were not significant, mineral contents were observed to increase. Phosphorus and potassium ion content also increased in mushroom-treated samples.

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