Potential of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) as Media for Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus Cultivation

Oil palm is one of the most important oil crops in Indonesia. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) could serve as an alternative and cheap media for edible mushroom cultivation. This study investigated the possibility of using EFB for cultivating edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. The objectives of this research are to formulate best media for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation, to give alternative for palm oil Industries to use EFB for mushroom cultivation, and to support Indonesian government policy to increase food security. The experiment, which covered the media preparation, inoculation, incubation and harvesting used different EFB media composition. Media formulation consisted of EFB, rice bran, CaC2, mineral fertilizer (TSP 12-12-12), and sawdust. The starter was added to the sterilized media. The experiment was done in three replicates. Data were collected on mycellium growth and weight of mushroom yield. Variation 3 showed the fastest growth of mycelium among other variations. Variation 1 yield the highest weight with 289.7 g in the first harvest.