CSA Xpert

Different steps involved in this method are as follows:

• Preparation of paddy straw bundles of 0.75-1.0 kg (80-95 cm long & 12-15 cm wide) preferably from hand threshed paddy.
• Immersing the bundles in clean water for 12-18 hours in a cemented water tank.
• Draining out of excess water by placing bundles on raised bamboo or cemented platform.
• Making bed by placing 4 bundles side by side & another four bundles similarly but from the opposite side forming one layer of eight bundles.
• Preparation of second, third & fourth layer by intermittent spawning between first and second, second and third and third and fourth layers.
• Spawning the entire surface of different layers of the beds leaving margin of 12-15 cm from edges at a space of 5 cm apart.
• Sprinkling red gram powder over the spawned surface. Using 500 gm spawn and 150 g of red gram powder for a bed of 30-40 kg paddy straw.
• Pressing of bed from the top and covering with clean polythene sheet for maintaining required humidity (80-85%) and temperature (30-35°C).Removal of polythene sheet after 7-8 days and maintain a temperature of 28-32°C with 80% humidity.
• Mushroom will start appearing after 4-5 days of sheet removal & will continue for next 20 days
• After crop harvest the left over substrate can be converted in to manure for its use in the fields.