Growing Spawn Mushrooms on Dried Banana Leaves

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for

the Subject Practical Research 2

Submitted by:
Punzalan, Annesca Joenet, M.
Villanueva, Anhil Timothy, D.

Submitted to:
Mr. Med Mark M. Pait, LPT.
Introduction

In the world of eco-friendly farming, a cool idea has sprouted: growing mushrooms on
dried banana leaves. It's a unique and environmentally friendly way to use banana leaves that
would usually end up as waste. This method not only makes use of the natural qualities of
banana leaves but also gets creative with how we grow mushrooms, creating a cool partnership
between farming and mushroom science.

People have known for a while that growing mushrooms is a smart way to turn leftover
plant stuff from farming into healthy food. At the same time, dried banana leaves, which often
just get thrown away, turn out to be pretty useful. By putting these two things together, we're not
just helping the environment – we're also finding new ways to make money and get more
nutrients from our food.

This introduction is all about digging into how we can grow spawn mushrooms on dried
banana leaves. We'll talk about why this idea is so cool, how it helps the environment and
farming, and why it could be a game-changer for communities looking for better, sustainable
ways to farm. Growing spawn mushrooms on dried banana leaves is like taking a cool adventure
into eco-friendly farming. It's not just about mushrooms; it's a journey into sustainability, cutting
down waste, and trying out smart farming methods. This way of growing mushrooms isn't just
good for the environment; it's a chance to change how we produce our food.

The researchers discover a story of strength, clever thinking, and how even small changes
in farming can make a big difference for our communities and the Earth. Growing spawn
mushrooms on dried banana leaves isn't just a fun way to grow fungi; it's about creating a
farming future that's both eco-friendly and strong for the long run.

Imagine it like a super cool journey into smart farming. By using dried banana leaves,
which usually get tossed away, we're not just reducing waste. We're creating a circle where what
was once considered trash becomes a valuable resource for growing delicious and nutritious
mushrooms. This way of farming isn't just good for the environment; it's also an opportunity to
revolutionize how we produce our food. It's a simple change, but it carries a powerful impact. As
we travel down this path, we uncover a story of strength and resourcefulness. Small shifts in our
farming practices can have a big and positive effect on our communities and the planet.

Growing spawn mushrooms on dried banana leaves isn't just a fun and innovative way to
cultivate fungi; it's about cultivating a sustainable and resilient future for agriculture. It's a small
step that can lead to big changes, making our farming practices not just about growing food but
growing a better, greener, and more robust world for us all.

Background of the Study

The integration of dried banana leaves into mushroom cultivation introduces a novel and
eco-friendly dimension to the traditional methods of growing mushrooms. This study aims to
delve into the intricacies of this innovative approach, examining the viability, sustainability, and
potential advantages it offers over conventional methods.

By exploring the symbiotic relationship between mushroom growth and banana leaves,
we aim to contribute to the body of knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices while
providing insights into the economic and nutritional benefits that may arise from this unique
farming technique.

As us researchers embark on this exploration, the study seeks to uncover the reasons
behind the choice of dried banana leaves as a substrate, the environmental implications of this
cultivation method, and the potential transformative impact it could have on local communities
seeking alternative, sustainable approaches to agriculture. Through this investigation, we aspire
to shed light on a promising avenue that not only maximizes resource utilization but also aligns
with the broader goals of promoting ecological balance and resilient food systems.

In essence, growing mushrooms on dried banana leaves offers a multifaceted solution to

societal challenges, addressing waste management, promoting sustainable agriculture, creating
economic opportunities, enhancing nutrition, and contributing to community resilience.
 Growing mushrooms on dried banana leaves holds importance for our society for several
reasons, encompassing environmental, economic, and nutritional aspects:

Waste Reduction and Recycling:

Growing mushrooms on dried banana leaves holds importance for our society for several
reasons, encompassing environmental, economic, and nutritional aspects:

Waste Reduction and Recycling:

Environmental Impact, Banana leaves are often considered agricultural waste. Utilizing
them as a substrate for mushroom cultivation helps repurpose this waste, reducing the burden on
landfills and minimizing environmental impact.

Circular Economy, The practice embodies a circular economy, transforming what would
be discarded into a valuable resource for food production.

Sustainable Agriculture:

Resource Efficiency, Growing mushrooms on dried banana leaves represents a

sustainable and resource-efficient farming method. It maximizes the use of available materials
and minimizes the need for additional resources.

Reduced Carbon Footprint, Mushroom cultivation is known for its low carbon footprint.
Utilizing banana leaves as a substrate further enhances the environmental sustainability of the
overall process.

Income Generation, For farmers, this method presents a potential source of additional
income. The cultivation of mushrooms on readily available banana leaves can create new
economic opportunities, especially in regions with a surplus of banana by-products.
 Market Demand, With the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and locally
sourced products, cultivating mushrooms on dried banana leaves aligns with market trends,
creating a niche for economically viable produce.

Nutritional Benefits:

Protein-Rich Food Source, Mushrooms are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and
minerals. Growing them on banana leaves introduces a unique blend of flavors and nutrients,
contributing to the diversification of local diets.

Adaptability, The simplicity and adaptability of growing mushrooms on dried banana

leaves make it accessible to a wide range of communities, including those with limited resources
or agricultural expertise.

Community Empowerment, Introducing sustainable farming practices empowers

communities to take control of their food production, fostering resilience in the face of
environmental and economic challenges.

Environmental Conservation:

Biodiversity, Mushroom cultivation on banana leaves promotes biodiversity by creating

ecosystems where mycelium activity contributes to soil health and microbial diversity.

Preservation of Ecosystems: By using agricultural waste as a resource, this practice helps

preserve natural ecosystems and supports a more balanced and sustainable environment.

Theoretical Framework

Banana Leaves wastes were subjected to fungal treatment using Pleurotus ostreatus to
produce edible mushrooms. Mushroom which is a fleshy saprophyte fungi are found growing on
damp rotten log of wood trunk of trees, decaying organic matter and in damp soil rich in organic
substances. Edible mushrooms are highly nutritious and can be compared with eggs, milk and
meat (Oei, 2003). The content of essential amino acids in mushrooms is high and close to the
needs of the human body. Mushroom is easily digestible and it has no cholesterol content.
However, the cultivation of mushroom is still very limited and the industry is still at its infancy
in Nigeria (Isikhuemhen and Okhuoye, 1996; Belewu, 2002, 2003). The major problem
associated with the transfer of technology for mushroom cultivation is the lack of technical
know-how for its cultivation.

The chemical composition of banana leaves is well documented in literature (Sompson et

al., 2004). The thrust of the study herein reported was to evolve a method for the cultivation of
the mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, using banana leaves and determine their effect on the
chemical composition of the spent substrate (banana leaves).