IMPORTANCE OF SUBSTRAT DIZINFECTION ON OYSTER MUSHROOM (PLEUROTUS SP.) CULTURE

Interest for oyster mushrooms is increasing very much in the last years due to their special taste and nutritional value. One of the most important aspects on mushroom culture is represented by substrate disinfection. The yield can be compromised if the competitive microorganisms are not removed from the cellulosic materials. The aim of these researches was to determine the most efficient method of disinfection. We have chosen five different methods of disinfection: material boiled for one hour, material boiled for 10 minutes, material scalded with boiled water (100°C), material disinfected with a fungicide (Derosal 0.01%) and material soaked in water for 24 hours with no disinfection. It has been noticed that method of disinfection affects the mycelium development, date of fructification and yield. The best yields have been obtained for variants with material scalded with boiled water (100°C), material disinfected with a fungicide (Derosal 0.01%) and material boiled for one hour. Mushrooms grown on material without disinfection have recorded very low yields.