Seagrass as a substrate for the cultivation of milk mushroom <i>Calocybe indica</i>: a new report

Abstract

Present study is to utilize the seagrass biowaste as a substrate for the cultivation of milk mushroom <i>Calocybe indica</i>. Results suggested that, all the morphometric characteristics of the mushroom were found maximum in <i>Cymodocea serrulata</i>. Similarly, the proximate compositions <i>viz.,</i> carbohydrates, protein and amino acids of the mushroom were recorded maximum in <i>Cymodocea serrulata</i> substrate. However, the maximum lipid content of the mushroom was found in <i>Syringodium isoetifolium</i> substrate. Elemental analysis suggested that, all the macro elements of the mushroom were found maximum in <i>Syringodium isoetifolium</i> substrate. Micronutrients suggested that, the maximum level of Carbon (3.3±0.3 mg.g^-1), Fe (1.8±0.5 mg.g^-1) and Mn (6.3±0.8 mg.g^-1) were recorded in <i>Cymodocea serrulata </i>substrate. However, the maximum level of Zn (2.0±0.7 mg.g^‑1) and Copper (1.0±0.5 mg.g^-1) was found in <i>Syringodium isoetifolium </i> substrate. Morphometric, proximate composition and mineral content values are highly comparable to paddy straw. All the values were found statistically significant (p<0.05) between parameters and substrates. In conclusion, the seagrass biowaste could be used as a potential substrate for the cultivation of milk mushroom <i>Calocybe indica</i>.