Effectivity of Corn (Zea mays) cobs and Abaca (Musa textilis) trunks used as substrates

for Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) production

Emanuel B. Miranda
Faith Anne Lleno
Lorraine A. Loria
KC Maxinne A. Mendones
Tanya Li Yvonne S. Paredes
9- Curie
 Methodology

Research Design

This study will follow the parallel group design where in there will be two experimental

groups, which are the corn cobs and the abaca trunks that will be used a substrate. The control

group will be the rice straws that will also be used as a substrate to compare and determine the

effectiveness of the substrates in terms of growth rate, height and weight of the mushrooms

produced.

In doing the experiment, the researchers need to keep in mind that using the right materials

and doing the right procedures is a must and knowing what variables are we going to test, our

experiment easily tells us that the different types of substrates such as abaca trunks and corn cobs

will be our independent variable which is the one we are manipulating and by manipulating this

we can get our dependent variable which is the effectivity, if it can grow a mushroom. the duration

of the mushroom to grow in these substrates and the weight of the mushrooms that can be

produced per flush. For our controlled variable, we are going to use rice straws as a substrate since

it is a commonly used substrate in mushroom cultivation and we can be able to compare the

effectiveness of the corn cobs and abaca trunks.

Materials

The materials used by the researchers in conducting the experiment are:

3/4 kg Rice straws 3/4 kg Corn cobs

3/4 kg Abaca trunks 3/4 kg Rice bran

1 bottle of planting Spawn (Oyster) Paper (any kind)

 6 pcs Rubber band Steamer with 200 liter steel drum

3 pcs 6 x 10 polypropylene (ppp) plastic

Procedure

The researchers will use two phases. For Phase 1, the researchers will focus on how to

prepare the substrates that will be use in the cultivation. The substrates will have the same

procedures and it is divided into four steps. First, dry out the substrates that will be used, the rice

straws, corn cobs and abaca trunks. Then, soak them in water overnight. After, drain it and make

sure that there will be no more water left. Lastly, put the ¾ of the three substrates each in three

different basins with ¼ of the rice bran, which will be the first step in phase two.

For Phase 2, the procedure will be the also be the same for the three substrates and will be

divided into four steps. First, since the researcher already have the substrates ready, add 1/4 kilo of

the prepared substrates (rice straws, corn cobs and abaca trunks together with the rice bran and

lime) in the polypropylene plastic. Each substrate, will only have one replicate. After, close the

mouth of it using the paper and tie it with the rubber band. Then, put the fruiting bags that were

made in the drum steamer. Next, boil the bags inside the drum for six (6) hours. If you will use a

pressure cooker (15 psi pressure) for the steamer, it will only take one hour. Lastly, let it cool off

and put 1 spoon of the ready-made oyster mushroom planting spawn. It should be done in a closed

area wherein air is limited to enter. And as stated, the corn cobs and the abaca trunks will have the

same procedure.
 Figure 1

Diagram of Procedures
Theoretical Framework

This chapter discusses the choices regarding the theoretical framework used to

address the research question. First, several ethics frameworks are reviewed in terms of

their relevance and adequacy for the research question. The most pertinent framework is

then analyzed in greater detail, with particular attention to concepts and ideas used later

in this investigation.

This study will show the principles of oyster mushroom cultivation. It will also

focus on determining the phases of mushroom cultivation in terms of its efficiency of the

different substrates being tested to know which substrate is best to use in growing

mushrooms.

In order for us to find out and to analyze the principles for mushroom cultivation,

scientific investigations and experiment shall be conducted for us to know which

substrate will be the most effective to grow a mushroom with a mushroom spawn.

Experimentations will be performed in order to observe its effectiveness, focusing on the

comparison between substrates and its capability to grow mushrooms.

The finding in this study will help to determine which of the substrates being

tested is the best for us to use for mushroom cultivation based on the given principles.

The theoretical paradigm is shown in Figure 2.

The Principles of Oyster Phases of mushroom
Mushroom cultivation cultivation

Casing
Effeciency of

Mushroom Spawn substrates

Compost production

Oyster Mushroom Cultivation

Mushroom cultivation relies on a supply of mushroom spawn. In similar fashion

to seed production by seedsmen, specialists producers grow specific mushroom
mycelia using aseptic microbiological techniques.

Figure 2

Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework

This study will compare the growth-rate, height and the weight of the mushroom

produced using different substrates for mushroom cultivation. It will also focus on

determining which substrate is best to use for mushroom cultivation in terms of its

growth rate.

This will determine the substrate that is best to use in growing mushrooms

through mushroom cultivation in terms of its growth rate. In order for us to find out and

to compare the substrates for mushroom cultivation scientific investigations and

experiment shall be conducted for us to know which substrate will be the most effective

to grow a mushroom with a growth-rate. Experimentations will be performed in order to

observe its effectiveness, focusing on the comparison between substrates and its

capability to grow mushrooms.

The finding in this study will help to determine which of the substrates being

tested is the best to use for mushroom cultivation in comparing their growth-rate, height

and weight.

The conceptual paradigm is shown in Figure 3.

 Abaca trunks and Corn cobs use as a substrate in mushroom cultivation.

(INPUT) determining which substrate is best to use for growing mushrooms

through mushroom cultivation in comparing the mushroom’s growth-rate,
height and its weight.

(PROCESS) deciding on which substrate is best to use for mushroom

cultivation, determining the features and principles on why this substrate is
best to use for mushroom cultivation. Conducted experiment and
investigations to identify the substrate and its effectiveness and analysis on the
obtained data.

(OUTPUT) Applications and use of abaca trunks and corn cobs as substrate for
mushroom cultivation in determining which is better in terms of growth-rate in
growing mushrooms. That are stated as a reference for additional information
on the possibility of using this substrate effectively in present or in near future.

Figure 3

Conceptual Framework