<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus florida were found to be an edible mushroom which have gained worldwide recognition and increasing popularity owing to their nutritional and medicinal values that can be cultivated on different agricultural wastes like Coffee straw, Pea straw, Sorghum Grain Residue, banana leaves, caw dung and Wheat Grain. The current study was aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Pleurotus species grown on different agricultural wastes and its nutritional purpose Methods: Antifungal activity was carried out against three human pathogenic microorganism Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum gypseum by using disc diffusion method. &nbsp; Result:&nbsp;Methanolic extract of Pleurotus florida gave strong antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum (12.8mm) and Epidermophyton floccosum (11.9mm) when compared to Pleurotus ostreatus. The results suggested that Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus florida cultivated on coffee straw and sorghum grain substrate were found with highest antifungal activity in comparison to other substrates. The results supported the methanolic extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus florida might indeed be potential sources of antifungal agents.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Pleurotus species Cultivated on Different Agricultural Wastes in Chiro, Ethiopia</div>

<div>Background: Mushrooms are a nutritious food source, being rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. They are also contains substances that enhance the immune system, fight infectious disease. Mushrooms can be cultivated on a variety of substrates, including agricultural and agro-industrial waste materials. The current study was amid to evaluate the phytochemical characteristics of Pleurotus species cultivated on different agricultural wastes. 
 
Methods: Mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus florida were cultivated on different agricultural wastes for the screening of phytochemical characteristics. Qualitative analyses of the phytochemicals were evaluated in methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of both Pleurotus spp. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu method and Spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride. 
 
Result: Qualitative analyses revealed the phytochemicals alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and tannins were present in methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of both Pleurotus spp. while anthraquinones and Phlobatannins were absent in aqueous extracts. The highest concentration of phenols and flavonoids were recorded in methanolic extracts of P. ostreatus and P. florida (48.17 mg GAE/g of extract and 56.57 mg of RUE/g of extract and 46.73 mg GAE/g of extract and 55.58 mg of RUE/g of extract respectively). The results supported the methanolic extracts of P. ostreatus and P. florida might indeed be potential sources of phytochemicals.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Phytochemical Characteristics Evaluation of Pleurotus species Cultivated on Agricultural Wastes in Chiro, Ethiopia</div>

Background: Agro-wastes represent valuable resources for mushroom cultivation, particularly Pleurotus species, which offer significant nutritional benefits and are grown using cost-effective methods. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient crucial for human health, is vital for preventing various diseases. Sodium selenite has emerged as an effective method for increasing selenium levels in mushrooms, thereby enhancing their nutritional quality. Additionally, utilizing biofortified spent mushroom waste for vermicomposting presents a sustainable solution for recycling organic waste and improving soil fertility.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study examines the biofortification of three Pleurotus species by applying sodium selenite in paddy straw substrate. The research investigates selenium accumulation and its impact on yield and biological efficiency, in addition to assessing various biochemical parameters. Furthermore, the study explores the influence of selenium-biofortified spent mushroom waste on the growth of earthworms during the vermicomposting process. 
 
Result: Our investigation into the biofortification of mushrooms with selenium revealed that incorporating 5% of sodium selenite into the substrate significantly enhanced the selenium content of Pleurotus ulmarius (CO2), Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus eous (APK1). However, increasing selenium content in the substrate correlated with decreased biological efficiency. Selenium biofortification resulted in a noteworthy increase in protein content alongside a reduction in carbohydrate levels. Moreover, utilizing selenium-biofortified spent mushroom waste (SeSMS) at a concentration of 2.5% in combination with cow dung (1:10) yielded favorable outcomes, including enhanced cocoon production and the presence of young and adult worms during vermicomposting on both the 60th and 90th day.

Selenium Biofortification of Pleurotus Mushrooms and Utilization of Spent Waste for Vermicomposting: A Sustainable Approach for Circular Agriculture

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Pleurotus species constitutes one of the choicest edible mushrooms, it is commonly known as &ldquo;Oyster Mushroom&rdquo; and in India it is commonly called as &ldquo;Dhingri. It has important medicinal, biotechnological properties and environmental applications. Its cultivation can be done on a number of agricultural wastes and organic waste materials. There are significant problems in classifying Pleurotus isolates using only morphological characters which are often unreliable and inconclusive mainly due to the large influence exerted by environmental factors.&nbsp; Methods: A wild isolate of Pleurotus was collected from North western Himalayas and its identity was confirmed by molecular studies. Yield, nutritional components and its bioactive molecules were compared with the cultivated isolate of Pleurotus djamore Antibacterial activities of both the isolates of were performed &nbsp;against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by disc diffusion.&nbsp; Result: Molecular studies confirmed the identity of wild isolate of Pleurotus as Pleurotus djamore. The maximum yield of wild isolate was on paddy straw followed by wheat straw. The protein content was 32.3&plusmn;0.50g-1 in wild isolate and 28.7&plusmn;1.67g-1 in cultivated isolate. Presence of nutritional components and phytochemicals inferred in this study indicate the importance of Pleurotus djamore in the pharmaceutical.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Comparison of Yield, Nutrient Content and Antibacterial Activities of Wild and Cultivated Isolates of Pleurotus djamor</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The Pleurotus genus is one of the most investigated white-rot fungus due to its excellent ligninolytic characteristics. It is a tasty mushroom that also has a number of biological impacts due to the presence of essential bioactive compounds. Many usual fermentation parameters affect lignocellulolytic enzymes in basidiomycete fungi, such as medium composition, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, pH, temperature, air composition etc. The survival and multiplication of Pleurotus mushrooms is dependent on a number of factors, which may function independently or interactive effect on the growth of mushroom. Grasp the difficulty of treating Pleurotus species mushrooms necessitates a fundamental understanding of their physical, chemical and biological characteristics.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Methods:&nbsp; In this study, the effects of culture media, temperature, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, grain sources and agricultural waste as lignocellulosic substrate on the mycelium growth of five species of Pleurotus species for spawn production were studied. Several trials were designed to evaluate factors affecting mycelium growth of five oyster mushroom species. The experiments were conducted during October to February in the year 2019 to 2021. The experiments were carried out in three replications per treatment. 
Result: The results of the experiment indicated that potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Malt extract agar (MEA) were the most suitable media for the mycelium growth of all oyster mushrooms. The optimal temperature for mycelium growth of all the oyster mushroom species was obtained at 25&plusmn;2oC. Mycelium growth of all the studied oyster mushroom was improved by carbon sources such as dextrose and glucose. The nitrogen source such as ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate also gave the greatest values in mycelium colony diameter of mushroom. Wheat was found to be favourable for mycelium growth of all the oyster mushroom species. In addition, paddy straw and sugarcane residue were selected as suitable lignocellulosic substrate sources for mycelium growth of all the studied oyster mushrooms.</div>

The Effect of Growth Conditions on Mycelial Run of Oyster Mushrooms spp. (Pleurotus spp.): Implication for Agricultural Practices

Background: Mushroom cultivation increased throughout the world with the utilization of crop residues. Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) is suitable for most of the area and less expensive for cultivation with the availability of paddy straw. Increasing demand of paddy straw compels to search alternate source of substrate for mushroom production. Based on this information efforts were taken to compare many locally available leaf substrates for Pleurotus citrinopileatus production. 
 
Methods: Leaf substrates viz., teak, bamboo, maize, banana, coconut,&nbsp; mango, sugarcane bagasse and grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium) were tested for the cultivation of P. citrinopileatus. Grain substrates viz., paddy, cumbu, bengal gram, green gram, sorghum, black gram, ragi and the above leaf substrates were studied for their effect on radial mycelial growth and dry weight of&nbsp; 
P. citrinopileatus. 
 
Result: All the leaf substrates were on par with each other for radial mycelial growth. Highest mycelial dry weight of 724.67 mg was recorded in paddy straw. Among the different leaf substrates used for mushroom bed preparation, banana leaf substrates showed highest yield of 115.00 g than paddy straw. Weight of mushroom spent bed was recorded to observe the utilization of substrates in which bamboo was decomposed at the maximum. Addition of grain substrates enhanced the growth of mycelium.

Utilization of Lignocellulosic Substrates on Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) Cultivation

Background: Successful methods to control Sclerotium rolfsii in beds of oyster mushroom cultivation are not presently known. The aim of the present investigation was to determine antifungal potentials of some plant extracts against the infection of S. rolfsii associated with the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Aqueous extracts of four different plants parts viz. leaf of Azadirachta indica (neem), leaf of Pongamia pinnata (karanj), bulbs of Allium cepa (onion) and cloves of Allium sativum (garlic) were evaluated in the laboratory for their efficacy against both P. ostreatus mycelium and pathogen. The plant extracts which displaced least adverse effects on the growth of&nbsp;&nbsp; P. ostreatus and maximum inhibition of pathogen were evaluated to find out the yield performance of P. ostreatus under in vivo conditions in mushroom house. 
&nbsp; 
Results: Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract showed maximum average mycelial and sclerotial inhibition i.e. 47.9 % and 52.4 %, respectively followed by karanj (Pongamia pinnata) leaf extract i.e. 38.4 % and 47.9 %, respectively. Maximum yield of oyster mushroom (885.0 g/ kg dry substrate) was also recorded in neem leaf extract followed by karanj leaf extract (867.5 g/ kg dry substrate) and cloves of garlic (846.3 g/ kg dry substrate) which were statistically at par with each other.

Management of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Infection in Oyster Mushroom [Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) Kumm.] by Plant Extracts&nbsp;

Background: The high density of farmed snakehead fish and the expansion of the farming area might cause a negative impact on water environment and an increased frequency of fish diseases. The use of plant-based extracts has been promised as an alternative method to antibiotic application in the controlling of fish diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Pleurotus ostreatus extract on survival, growth, immune responses and against Aeromonas hydrophila of snakehead fish (Channa striata).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: During 2021-11 to 2022-10, the P. ostreatus extract was prepared using hot water method and the fish fed diets supplemented the extract at 0.0 g kg-1, 1.5 g kg-1, 2.5 g kg-1, 3.5 g kg-1 and 4.5 g kg-1 was examined for survival rates, growth responses, white blood cell&nbsp; count, respiratory burst activity and mortality rates of fish in A. hydrophila infection. 
 
Result: The results indicated snakehead fish fed five different diets showed no significant differences in survival and growth performances. However, the innate immune parameters were likely increased in fish fed diets supplemented P. ostreatus extract and the diet supplemented extract at 4.5 g kg-1 could reduce the accumulate mortality of snakehead fish challenged with A. hydrophila. P. ostreatus extract could be a promising material for enhancing the innate immunity of snakehead fish and can protect fish from A. hydrophila infection.

Effect of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Extract on Survival, Growth Performances, Immune Responses and against Aeromonas hydrophila of Snakehead Fish (Channa striata)

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The present work was to evaluate biocomposted cocoa shell and jack fruit peel wastes and their effect on the vegetative development and yield parameters of Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L. Var. NS-620 (Cowpea). 
 
Methods: The experiments were conducted in the Department of Botany, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, during 2019.The experiments consists of various treatments of biocompost. Different growth stages of the plant sample were analysed for root length, shoot length, number of leaves, number of nodules, number of flowers, plant fresh weight and dry weight on 25, 50 and 75 DAS. The yield parameters of cowpea such as number of pods per plant, length of pod, number of seeds per pod, weight of seeds per pods, pod fresh and dry weight were analysed on 90 DAS. 
 
Result: The experimental result showed that T8 (Raw Jack fruit peel+10 g Pleurotus eous+10 g Pleurotus florida+Eudrilus eugeniae 5 t/ha-1) and T4 (Raw Cocoa shell+10 g Pleurotus eous+10 g Pleurotus florida+Eudrilus eugeniae 5 t/ha-1) treatment significantly increased the vegetative growth in root length, shoot length, number of leaves/plant, number of nodules, fresh weight and dry weight on 25 to 75 DAS and number of flowers on 45 DAS. Maximum increase in the yield parameters was observed in number of pods/plant, length of pod, number of seeds/pod, weight of seed/pod, fresh weight and dry weight of pod in Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L. as compared to other treatments and control. The main objective of the study was to develop high yielding and healthy vegetable crops with the help of biocomposted agroindustrial waste without damaging the environment.&nbsp;</div>

Impact of Cocoa Shell and Jack Fruit Peel Waste Biocompost Influence on the Growth and Yield Attributes of Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.)

<div>Background: Amidst of emerging world with the new technologies we are in the dangerous condition regarding the disposal of agro industrial wastes which creates a serious problem. Organic manures can prevent and can enhance the productivity in the plants as well as can reduce the environmental issues. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in the month of September to November 2019 at St. Joseph&rsquo;s College Campus, Visakhapatnam, A.P. with the bio composting process of paddy and coffee husk along with Pleurotus eous, Pleurotus florida, Trichoderma asperelloides and Eisenia fetida, with 6 treatments. The plants were analyzed for root length, shoot length, number of leaves, number of nodules, fresh weight and dry weight of the plant on 20, 40 and 60 DAS and the yield parameters were analyzed on 90th day of the plant. 
 
Result: The results showed a great increase in the treatment 6 (Pre decomposed coffee husk, consortium of Pleurotus eous, P. florida, Trichoderma asperelloides and Eisenia fetida) in root length (8.5, 12.9 and 16.1 cm) shoot length (15.2, 30.3 and 43.2 cm) number of leaves (11, 18 and 49) number of nodules (12, 20 and 9) fresh weight (4.83, 8.98 and 15.47 g) and dry weight (1.11, 3.56 and 4.37 g) when compared with the other treatments and control. The yield parameters also showed significant results in number of pods (27), length of the pod (5.7 cm), number of seeds/pod (6), weight of the seeds/pod (2.89 g), fresh weight of the pod (1.653 g) and dry weight of the pod (0.986 g).</div>

The Effect of Paddy and Coffee Husk as the Organic Manure on the Vegetative and Yield Parameters of Moth Bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq) Marechal]