Cultivation of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on wood substrates in Hawaii

Summary Five non-native, aggressively growing trees, Falcataria moluccana (Miquel) Barneby & Grimes, Casuarina equisetifolia L. ex J. R. & G. Forst, Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maid, Psidium cattleianum Sabine, and Trema orientalis (L.) Blume, were evaluated for suitability as substrate for outdoor cultivation of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) Kumm., in Hawaii. An existing shade house was modified for mushroom production and proved to be an adequate fruiting site. Nitrogen-fixing trees (C. equisetifolia, T. orientalis, and F. moluccana) supported greater yield (275.5, 272.4 and 268.8 g/bag, respectively), biological efficiency (70.1, 78.5, and 74.0%, respectively), and flush number (3.0, 3.2, and 3.5) than non-fixers. P. cattleianum supported significantly lower yield (190.5 g/bag) and biological efficiency (44.2%). Mean crop period was 51 days and was not affected by the wood substrate. Similarly, substrate did not have a significant impact on the concentration of nutrients or moisture in fruit bodies. Taste preferences were noted in mushrooms grown on different substrates; those grown on C. equisetifolia were most flavourful and preferred in one taste test.