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ABSTRACT
The effect of selected concentrations of Palm Kernel Oil on the vegetative growth of Auricularia auricula was studied. Palm kernel oil was added to prepare potato dextrose agar in different concentration in percentage of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0%, and each concentration was replicated five times, the culture media without palm kernel oil served as control. Parameters such as mycelia extension, mycelia biomass, mycelia density, mycelia growth rate and cultural characteristics were determined from the media for ten days after inoculation. Result obtained show that the mycelia of A.auricula were supported by all concentration of palm kernel oil tested. The highest value for mycelium extension was 56.33 ± 0.17d, 56.33 ± 3.53d and 51.67 ± 0.17cd with 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% concentration respectively while 3.0% recorded the lowest value (28.17 ± 1.17d) on the tenth day. The highest value of mycelia yield which were obtained with 0.1% concentration palm kernel oil with 0.695 ± 0.379 while the lowest yield (0.140 ±0.063) was recorded at 0.6%.
The mycelia density of the fungus also followed the same trend with mycelia biomass. This implies that the oil from palm kernel can be used for the cultivation of the A.auricula with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.6%.
