Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(4): 473-479 473 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.704.055 Utility of Different Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Residues for Cultivation of Button Mushroom R. Narayana Reddy 1* , K.G. Banuprakash 1 , T.H. Shankarappa 2 and B.C. Mallesha 1 1 University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India 2 University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Sericulture offers a wide range of by-products, which have diverse utility, either by direct or indirect way in agriculture and rural cottage industry as well. Mulberry shoots are used as fuel source and also for paper making, fruits for jam, juice and wine preparation (Reddy et al., 2011). Components like chlorophyll, carotene, phytol and pectin are extracted from the silkworm faeces for use in the manufacture of edible colours, candy, wine, ice-creams and medicines for gastric, ulcer, liver and blood diseases (Aruga, 1994). Silkworm litter is used as feed for cattle, sheep and goats and the excreta for biogas production (Somanna, 1995). Silkworm pupae are utilized in the extraction of oil, which finds its usage in soaps, paints, etc. The pupal powder has amino acids, vitamins etc., which is used as feed for poultry, fish, swine, cattle and as manure. The dead pupae along with larvae and moths are used in organic composting and excreta and silkworm litter is used in vermiculture (Das et al., 1997). The sericulture waste is a good source for composting with mixed plant residues International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 04 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Different silkworm residues in combination with paddy straw were evaluated for button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus Lange) production. The substrate was prepared by substituting silk worm leaf litter, silk worm excreta and spent silk moth residue with paddy straw at 25 and 50 percents. The yield and bio-efficiency of button mushroom was found to be highest in control treatment, paddy straw (927 g per 5.00 kg substrate and 61.80%, respectively) and the yield was ranged between 890 and 760 g per 5.00 kg substrates prepared with paddy straw in combination with silk worm leaf litter, silk worm excreta and spent silk moth residue. Nutritive value of mushrooms showed that the protein and fat contents were high in the mushrooms grown on substrate combination of paddy straw plus spent residue of silk moth (29.50% and 4.70). The total sugar was high in the treatment, paddy straw supplemented with silk worm leaf litter (28%). During the composting it was observed that the microbial counts like bacteria, fungi and actinomycete had increased up to 21 st day of compost preparation and decreased thereafter, while the contents of cellulose and lignin had decreased with the progress of composting. Keywords Button mushroom, Silkworm leaf litter, Silk worm excreta, Composting Accepted: 07 March 2018 Available Online: 10 April 2018 Article Info