This research proposal aims to analyze the cost and benefits of growing oyster shell mushrooms using different compost materials. The researcher will compare the productive performance of oyster mushrooms grown using pito mash and fresh chopped straws versus rice bran as the compost material. Specific objectives include determining the optimal inclusion level of pito mash and straws to replace rice bran, estimating their effect on mushroom growth parameters, and conducting a cost-benefit analysis. The proposal outlines the materials, methodology, work plan and budget for the experiment which will involve growing mushrooms in bags under different treatment conditions and analyzing the results.

1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL
RESEARCH TOPIC
COST AND BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF OYSTER SHELL
MUSHROOM UNDER DIFFERENT COMPOST
MATERIALS
JOSEPH . I.K NYANDE
211AB01000014
AGRIBUSINESS DEPARTMENT

2. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

INTRODUCTION
 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 LITERATURE REVIEW
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 WORKPLAN FOR THE PROJECT
 BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT

3. OYSTER SHELL MUSHROOM
IMAGES

4. INTRODUCTION
 Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies produced by some fungi .
 A great number of edible mushrooms belongs to the Class,
Basidiomycetes.( Anon, 1999)

5. INTRODUCTION
MUSHROOMS CONSIST OF TWO PARTS
 The Mycelium
 The Fruiting Body
MYCELIUM
 The mycelium is the part that grows beneath the soil surface
and consists of numerous whitish or yellowish threadlike
strands called hyphae
FRUITING BODY
 The fruiting body of the mushrooms which is made up of
closely woven strands consist of a stalk also called stipe
Which bears a rounded cap, the main reproductive organ.

6. INTRODUCTION
KINDS OF MUSHROOMS.
 There are thousands species of mushrooms through out the
world.
 Mushroom are divided into four groups namely:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Poisonous Mushrooms
Edible Mushrooms
Medicinal Mushrooms
Miscellaneous Mushrooms

7. INTRODUCTION
EDIBLE MUSHROOM
 The well known edible mushrooms belongs to the specise—
agaricus.
 The oyster shell mushroom also belongs to the species—
pleurotus

8. INTRODUCTION
IMPORTANCE OF MUSHROOM
 Rich source of nutrients. contains proteins, vitamin B,C,A and
D, carbohydrate, fiber and mineral salts.
 Highly recommended for persons suffering from Heart and
Kidney troubles.

9. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 The study seeks to reduce the cost in producing oyster shell
mushroom with pito mash and fresh chop straws as compost
materials in oyster mushroom .
 And also determine the performance of compost materials
with pito mash and fresh chop straws as substrate nutrient base
in oyster mushroom production.

10. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.
1. To determine the optimum inclusion level of pito mash with
fresh chop straws that can best replace rice or wheat brand
in oyster shell mushroom without adverse on the productive
performance.
2. To estimate the effect of pito mash with fresh chop straws as
nutrient base for the substrate and growth parameters of the
oyster shell mushroom. e.g. Weight, height , maturity and
tenderness of oyster mushroom.

11. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.
3. Cost-benefit analysis will be carried out to establish the
economic feasibility of the experimental compost
materials.
4. Recommendation will be drawn based on the results of the
study.

12. BACKGROUND AND
JUSTIFICATION
 Because of unavailability, highly cost and competitive in
demand between the poultry industries and other users of
wheat and rice brand.
 Therefore the need for other material that can best
replace rice or wheat brand in oyster shell mushroom as
compost material preparation cannot be over- emphasised.
 Therefore in replace of wheat or rice brand which adds
proteins and vitamins to the sawdust compost materials.

13. BACKGROUND AND
JUSTIFICATION
 Pito mash and fresh chop straws which are also highly
enriched with vitamins and proteins is needed for sawdust
compost materials.
 Which are always available and less costly as compared to
wheat and rice brands.
 Is best for mushroom producers and small scale farmers in the
mushroom industries.

14. LITERATURE REVIEW
 It is difficult to trace the origin of mushroom cultivation but
some species have been grown in Asia which includes oyster
shell mushroom, bottom mushroom , shiitake mushroom and
enoki mushroom species.
Stamets , Paul, and Chilton, J. S., 1983.

15. LITERATURE REVIEW
 Oyster mushroom has chemical substance that suppresses
some form of cancerous growth or tumours
 Oyster mushroom also has the ability to balance cholesterol
levels and cure high blood pressure.
 Oyster mushroom promote body resistance against infectious
disease and accelerates healing of wounds.

16. MATERIALS
 Additives: Pito mash and fresh chop straws, Quick lime, Water
(drinkable). Sawdust, Rice.
 Heat resistant polypropylene or high density polythene bags
size ,13 by 7 inches
 2cm thick PVC pipe cut into 2.5cm long each used as bottle
necks.
 Cotton wool plug.
 Paper as cover.

17. MATERIALS
 Wooden rack 49cm by 10cm high
 Good spawns.
 Disinfectant for cleaning the table’s ,floors.
 Water holes or watering cane or spraying gun.
 bowls and knives.
 Rubber bands.
 200L Oil drums with lid.

18. METHODOLOGY
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
 The experiment would be conducted using two different types
of composting materials which will be replicated four times.
The treatments are as follows
 Pito mash with fresh chop straws compost.
 Rice bran compost.

19. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
RICE BRAND
T1
PITO MASHT
RICE BRND
PITO MASH
PITO MASH T2
RICE BRAN
T3
PITO MASH T4
RICE BRAN

20. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
 Two 2 different composting material would be set in the
room four,4 replication will be used for the experiment
 In all 200 pieces of compost bag would be used as substrate.
 Rice bran compost will be 100 pieces of the substrate.
 Pito mash with fresh chop straws will be 100 pieces of the
substrate.

21. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
THE TREATMENTS REPRESENTED AS FOLLOWS
 25 pieces of locally compost bag which will be represented
as T1
 25 pieces of newly pito mash with fresh chop straws
compost bag will be represented asT2
 25 pieces of locally compost bag will represented as T3
 25 pieces of newly pito mash with fresh chop straws will be
represented asT4
These treatments will be arranged in the room on a shelf
design.

22. METHODOLOGY
There are six (6) methods in oyster mushroom production

Composting the substrate

Bagging the substrate

Sterilizing the bagged compost

Inoculating the compost bag with spawn

Inoculating the spawned compost bag

Cropping or Harvesting

23. METHODOLOGY
COMPOSTING
 Sawdust compost bag method is used in the cultivation
of oyster shell mushroom. There are two treatment in this
experiments.
 The locally compost with rice brand.
 pito mash with fresh chop straws compost.

24. METHODOLOGY
BAGGING THE COMPOST
 Purpose, is to pack the composted sawdust into heat resistant
polypropylene bags.
MATERIALS USED.
 Heat resistant polypropylene or high density polythene bags
size 33 by 17 .8cm – 0. 10mm inch.(13 by 7 inches)
 2cm thick PVC pipe cut into 2.5cm long each used as bottle
necks.
 Cotton wool plug.
 Paper or newsprint cover.
 Rubber bands.

25. METHODOLOGY
STERILIZATION
 Purpose, This is to kill any micro-organisms that may be
present within the compost bag.
MATERIAL USED
 200L Oil drums with lid and tightening band or (any type of
equipment to generate a temperature ranging from 90 – 100
Degree Celsius.
 Wooden rack 49cm by 10cm high (20 multiply 46 inches)

26. METHODOLOGY
INNOCULATION ROOM.
 This is an ordinary room with either roofing sheet or thatch. It
should be covered on all sides to create a semi dark condition.
Preferable temperatures should be between 25-30 degree
Celsius.
 After these period mycelium begins to thicken within the
compost bag and start forming fruiting bodies.This means that
it is time to open compost bags for fruiting of mushrooms.

27. METHODOLOGY
HARVESTING ROOM
 Purpose, is to create the right environmental condition in the
room.
 high relative humidity ,80-95%, good aeration and light for
the mushroom to flush
 There should be a wooden structure which covered on all
sides with mats and not a cemented house.

28. RESEARCH SCHEDULE
ACTIVITY
OCTOBE
R
LIT.REVIEW
MUSHROOM
PREPARATION
DATA COLLECTION
DATA SCREANING
DATA ANALYSIS
REPORT WRITING
REPORT EDITTING &
SUBMISSION
NOVEMB
ER
DECEMB
ER
JANUARY
FEBRUAR
Y
MARCH

29. RESEARCH BUDGET
RESEARCH
BUDGET

30. ITEMS
QUANTITY
UNITPRICE
ESTIMATE
Wawa sawdust.
25 basket
Pito mash
3
2.0
6.0
fresh chop straws
1
2.o
2.0
Quick lime (White
wash
5
2.0
5
o.50
12.50
Rice bran
3
2.0
6.0
 Cotton wool plug.
5
2.0
10.50
 Paper as cover.
2
2.0
4.0
 Rubber bands
3
2.0
6.0
 Good spawns
25
8.0
200.0
 bowls and knives
3
5.00
15.0
 Disinfectant
4
5.00
20.0
2cm thick PVC pope
3
8.00
24.0
Heat resistant
polypropylene
5
13.0
65.0