Mushroom Culture

Cultivation Technology of Paddy Straw Mushroom

Cultivation Technology of Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariellavolvacea, V.diplasia)

a) Nutritional value:

• Paddy straw mushrooms are very tasty and good flavoured. These are known to be very nutritious having 26-30 % protein, 9-12 % fibre , 9-13 % ash , 45- 50 % carbohydrate and rich in minerals , vitamins C and B.

b) Spawn production:

• Spawn is produced either in rice straw or rye , sorghum , millet or wheat grains . The mycelium in spawn bottle is fast growing, rhizomorphic to cottony, colour is typically whitish to greyish white.

c) Cultivation:

• Commonly cultivated varieties of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella) are V. volvacea ( Bull ex Fr. ) Singer, V. diplasia (Berk and Br.) Singer and V. esculenta ( Mass) Singer . This mushroom is commonly cultivated on paddy straw in the open as well as inside a mushroom house. Open cultivation method is very common among marginal and small growers.

1. Open air cultivation:
a) Preparation of beds and spawning:

• In this method 100X60cm size foundation beds of 15-20 cm height are made with the help of bricks or mud under the shade, to save them from rains or direct sunlight. Paddy straw bundles of 7-8 cm diameter are made by tying them at one end. The length of these bundles is kept between 70-80 cm. These bundles are soaked in water for 16-18 hours in a water tank. For chemical sterilization of the straw, bavistin 7g and formalin 125 ml can be added in 100 litre of water. After dipping bundles in water, cover the water tank with the polythene sheet. Later ,bundles are taken out and excess water allowed to drain off on a cemented floor.

Fig. 8.2 Outdoor cultivation: Bed formation by lining wet paddy straw bundles on wooden platforms

• A bamboo frame exactly of the size of the bed on foundation is kept on the floor. Now place four bundles of paddy straw (water soaked) side by side over bamboo frame, keeping tied end in one direction. Place another set of four bundles over it but this time tied end in opposite direction. In this way 8 bundles make the first layer of bundles. Scatter the grain spawn about 8-12cm from the edges of the layer bundles. Spread the spawn along with powdered arhar pulse or gram flour. Wheat bran or rice bran can also be added. Place the second row of the bundles and spawn on it as described earlier. Likewise third and fourth layer of bundles are also placed and spawned. Finally, the square shaped bed is covered with a transparent polythene sheet and bed temperature of 32 ± 1 ° C is maintained . Within 7-8 days mushroom mycelium permeates the straw completely and at this stage the plastic cover is removed. If the surface of the bed appears to be dry, spray water with the help of water sprayer at least once in a day.

 

Fig. 8.3 Young pinheads appearing from the beds

b) Fruiting and harvesting:

• Mushroom fruiting occurs nearly 18-20 days after spawning at favourable moisture and temperature conditions .Fruiting continues for another 10-12 days. In paddy straw alone , yield of 12-14 kg /100 kg of wet substrate can be obtained.
• Harvesting of mushroom is done when volva just breaks and mushroom exposes from inside. In any case mushroom should be harvested before it opens. Paddy straw mushrooms are very delicate in nature and can be stored under refrigerated condition for 2-3 days only. Drying of mushroom can be done under shade or in sunlight.