Ritzelle Joan B. Briones, Krishna Marie G. Jontarciego, Katte Rea N. Venturanza (January 2003)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This research was conducted to determine whether there is a significant difference in the growth of the straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) grown with 14-14-14 fertilizer (Treatment 1), with sugar as growth booster (Treatment 2), and without substrate enrichment (control). The independent variable in this study is the substrate enrichment, while the dependent variable is growth, measured in terms of the mean individual weight (grams) and the yield (total counts) of mushrooms in the different treatment groups. Mushroom beddings were prepared by layering the rice hull as base, and ramay (dried banana leaves) as substrate. Substrate enrichment was added to Treatment 1 and Treatment 2. Spawn was added on top of the prepared substrates. Madre de cacao leaves were then added on top of the spawn, Four replicates were done for each treatment. Mushrooms were harvested after two weeks of culture. T-test for paired Samples at 0.05 alpha was used to determine if there is a significant difference in the mean yield and the mean individual wet weight of mushrooms from Treatments 1, 2, and 3. Results showed that mean individual wet weight in the control group is 5.79 g; 7.5 g in Treatment 1; and 7.1 g in Treatment 2. The T-test for Paired Samples at 0.05 alpha level of significance showed that there was no significant difference in the wet weight of mushrooms from the three treatments. The results further showed that mean yield in the control group is 83 mushrooms; 272 mushrooms in Treatment 1; and 145 mushrooms in Treatment 2. T-test for Paired Samples at 0.05 alpha level of significance showed that there was a significant difference in the yield of mushrooms from treatment 1 and Treatment 2. However, the test also showed that there was no significant difference in the other comparisons. From this study, it can be concluded that 14-14-14 fertilizer and sugar as substrate enrichment produced no significant difference in the mean individual wet weight, but there is a significant difference in the mean yield of straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) after two weeks of culture.