Abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of aqueous alkali-treated Brachiaria straw for the cultivation of appropriate species of oyster mushroom. The substrate used in the cultivation of various Pleurotus spp. was soaked for 20min by using two different procedures: (i) 0.5-2.0% Ca(OH)(2) in 100L water, and (ii) 50-250L water. As a result, 1% Ca(OH)(2) dissolved in 100L water and 3.5kg of Brachiaria straw presented the best production. The most suitable species for the application of the present method were P. pulmonarius and P. sapidus. The success of this technique is directly related to the concentration of Ca(OH)(2) and water, the species, and the origin and quality of raw material used as the substrate in the production of oyster mushroom.