Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part X (2025)

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different substrates on the number of days required for spawn run and first harvest of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju). Twelve treatments were tested, including single substrates (wheat straw, paddy straw, soybean straw, banana straw, cotton straw, maize straw) and their combinations with soybean straw, along with a mixed treatment of all substrates in equal proportions. Significant differences were recorded among treatments. Soybean straw supported the fastest spawn run (15.5 days) and earliest first harvest (23 days), followed by wheat straw (17.5 and 24 days, respectively) and paddy straw (18 and 25 days, respectively). Banana straw required the longest duration for both parameters (21 days spawn run; 29.5 days first harvest). The results suggest that soybean straw is the most suitable substrate for rapid crop establishment and early production, which can enhance profitability in commercial mushroom farming.