Oyster mushrrom cultivation at different production systems: a review

Abstract

This paper aims to review historical perspectives, nutritional and medicinal benefits, biodiversity, cultivation, diseases and their control, pathogen detection systems, food safety concerns and use of spent mushroom compost of oyster mushrooms. The genus Pleurotus (oyster mushrooms) is a diverse group of mushrooms high in nutritional value and other useful properties applicable to the environmental. The production and consumption of oyster mushrooms has increased owing to its benefits. Over the past few years, there have been efforts to identify locally available substrates, improve spawn production and limit disease incidences. Pathogen detection systems have also been improved in an effort to develop rapid and more accurate assays leading to reduced production losses. The use of chemicals threatened by development of resistance by pathogens as well as new legislations, hence alternative treatment methods have to be fully implemented. Lastly, despite its huge potential, spent mushroom compost is underexploited sometimes utilized for land filling and in crop production.