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Applicability of Banana Cultivar Waste for Oyster Mushroom Cultivation

Summary

This research explored using banana tree waste to grow oyster mushrooms, demonstrating an effective way to convert agricultural waste into valuable food products. The study found that different parts of banana plants can be used to grow mushrooms, with the stem portion being most effective. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides a sustainable solution for agricultural waste management • Creates potential income opportunities for farmers through mushroom cultivation • Offers an environmentally friendly method of food production • Demonstrates ways to reduce agricultural waste and environmental impact • Could help make mushroom cultivation more accessible and cost-effective

Background

The oyster mushroom is the third most cultivated edible mushroom globally. Pleurotus species can effectively grow on lignocellulosic wastes due to their specific enzymes that degrade these compounds. Banana tree waste represents a potentially valuable substrate for mushroom cultivation, as significant amounts are generated after harvest, with pseudo-stems and leaves containing high lignolitic fiber content.

Objective

To evaluate the production of Pleurotus ostreatus using different combinations of banana tree wastes (leaf, pseudo-stem, and pseudo-stem + leaf) from four banana cultivars (Thap Maeo, Prata Anã, Pelipita and Caipira), and assess the organic matter loss in substrates during fungal growth over 49 days.

Results

The pseudo-stem waste provided the best biological efficiency across all cultivars, with Thap Maeo showing the highest at 61.5%. The highest organic matter loss was observed in pseudo-stem + leaf combinations (Prata Anã 78.6%; Thap Maeo 67.6%; Pelipita 64.8%; Caipira 60.6%). C/N ratios in substrates ranged from 20:1 to 43:1. Leaf-based substrates generally showed lower biological efficiency, possibly due to higher nitrogen content.

Conclusion

All tested banana cultivars proved suitable for P. ostreatus cultivation, with pseudo-stem substrate showing the best results. The highest organic matter loss occurred in pseudo-stem + leaf combinations. Banana tree waste represents a viable and sustainable substrate option for oyster mushroom cultivation due to its local availability, low cost, and environmental benefits through waste reduction.
  • Published in:Brazilian Journal of Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1590/S1517-83822012000200048
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