Effect of Sclerotia Weight and Watering Regime on the Growth and Development of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer

The study was carried out to determine the effect of sclerotia weight (10, 25, 50 and 100 g), watering regime and urea solution on the growth and development of P. tuber-regium. The experiment comprised four watering regimes with either water or urea solution (1g/litre) and four weights of sclerotia were replicated five times in a completely randomised design. The watering regime comprised watering once daily, twice daily, thrice daily and once alternate daily. The earliest time (6.00 ±0.63 days) of primordial emergence occurred in 100 g of sclerotia watered once daily. The highest fresh weight of P. tuber-regium harvested was in 100 g of sclerotia watered twice daily (128.48 ±25.89g) with water and 100 g of sclerotia watered once daily with urea solution (122.91 ±23.15 g). Weight loss in sclerotia ranged from 17.60 to 44.20% for sclerotia watered with tap water and from 17.60- 70.40 % with urea solution. Fruit body yield was significantly higher (p=0.05) in 50g sclerotia pieces watered once daily with urea solution. This sclerotia weight is therefore recommended for the fruit body production of the mushroom