The Founder, Mushroom Development Foundation (MDF) Nigeria, Mrs Chi Tola, on Tuesday in Lagos said that a well-cultured Oyster mushroom could adequately replace maize in fish feed production.

Tola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that fish feed was a major constraint to aquaculture development, hence, the need for alternatives for sustainability.

She said that researches conducted showed that graded levels of oyster mushroom of between 0 to 100 per cent of Cultured Dried Whole Mushroom (DCM) supported growth of fingerling, O.niloticus.

“Fish feed is a major constraint to aquaculture development in developing countries like Nigeria, where maize is the main carbohydrate energy source in fish diets.

“This is due to its overuse in livestock feeds and human consumption, which makes it relatively expensive and scarce; hence, the need for alternatives for sustainability.

“Oyster mushroom and Pleurotus ostreatus are edible fungus widely cultured for its ease of cultivation, nutritional and medicinal qualities.\"

Source: New Mail // Original Article