Evaluation of promising oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) for production in tropical regions

The biological efficiencies of promising Pleurotus spp. were evaluated. Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus tuberregium,and Pleurotus sajor-cajuwere investigated at temperatures of 22℃, 20℃, and 18℃ to determine their ability to adapt to temperatures that are likely to be found in subtropical regions. The experiment was conducted using a substrate comprising Popular sawdust 60% + cotton seed 20% + beet pulp 20% under a relative humidity of 65%. The results indicated that there were significant differences in terms of biological efficiency between the species: P. tuber regium 128.84% at 22℃, P. ostreatus 108.41% at 22℃, and P. sajor-caju is 80% at 20℃. The common temperatures at which all species showed the highest biological efficiencies were 22℃ and 20℃. Therefore, the production of the evaluated species was equal to or surpassed biological efficiencies reported in tropical environments, thereby demonstrating a potential opportunity to adapt to tropical environments without compromising quality standards.