Effect of growth supporting additives on the performance of Auricularia auricula on Mansonia altissima A. chev sawdust

Auricularia auricula (St. Aman's) Berk was cultivated on Mansonia altissima sawdust with various additives (Brewer's grain (BG), Corn chaff (CC), Oil palm fibre (OPF), Sorghum bicolor chaff (SC) and Wheat bran (WB) at different percentages (0%, 5%, 10% and 20%). The study was carried out to determine the effect of additives on the performance of the fungus on the substrate; M. altissima sawdust. The treated and untreated substrates with additives at different percentages were analyzed for lignocelluloses composition, macro element, C-N ratio and proximate composition. The result of this study showed that A. auricula reduced the lignocelluloses composition of M. altissima sawdust. The lignin content reduced from 7.97% (control) to 1.59% in 20%SC treated substrate. The macro elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na) compositions were low in all the treated substrate - additives combination. The least was recorded in Na (25.8 - 84.5ppm), Ca (2.04% in control and 0.50% in 20%SC). The proximate composition showed that the substrate had an average moisture content of 50% - 61%, low protein (4.85-0.60%), high carbohydrate and high ash contents compared to the control. The results of this study showed that A. auricula exhibited an increase in performance with increase in additives, with the most efficient at 20% for all the additives. It can also be concluded that wheat bran was the best out of the five additives used.