India: Pale oyster mushroom thrives on apple pulp

The University of Nauni in India has come up with a solution to boost the cultivation of pale oyster mushroom. By exploiting the potential of apple pulp, researchers at the university have been able to improve the quality and variety of these mushrooms, surpassing traditional cultivation methods using wheat. In addition, this breakthrough technique not only eliminates the shortage of straw for growing mushrooms, but also significantly increases yields, making them twice as abundant. Cultivation of pale oyster mushroom is widespread throughout India, including in the state of Himachal Pradesh. However, local growers face difficulties in purchasing wheat husk from neighboring states such as Haryana and Punjab as it is expensive. Recognizing the need for an alternative, the researchers at Nauni University turned their attention to apple scraps, which are usually wasted after juicing. These residues, which are often thrown away along the roadside and at processing plants, are now ...