Oyster mushroom

Paddy straws having less than 12% moisture, free from any mold are suitable for Oyster mushroom. About 2.5-3.0 kg of chopped paddy straw is required per bag of 80cmx40cm size. Three to four-week old non-contaminated spawn @5-10 % of dry weight (around 200g) of the substrate is required for preparation of 2.5-3 kg weight bed. Arrange the spawn of good quality from a reliable source from your locality. About 200 g of wheat (5-10% of dry weight of substrate) is required for one bag. Transparent polythene tube of 125-150 gauges with a dimension of 80 cm x 40 cm is suitable for oyster cultivation.

Cultivation procedure of Oyster mushroom

  • Good quality paddy straw is chopped to 4-5 cm size by a chaff cutter.
  • Soak the chopped paddy straw in freshwater for a period of 10-16 hours.
  • The pre-wetted substrate after chopping is soaked in hot water (65-70°C ) for one hour.
  • The substrate is dried in shade for few hours in order to maintain the moisture level of 55-60%.
  • After drying the substrate may be divided into four lots.One end of the polythene tube is tied with a rubber band and the moistened substrate is put inside to a height of 15 cm.
  • Gently press the substrate and one part each of spawn (50g) and supplement (50 g) spread at the periphery close to polythene.
  • Likewise, four such layers are made and the bag is closed at the upper end after pressing the substrate.
  • Make 15-20 small holes (0.5 cm diameter) on all sides of the bag to facilitate gas exchange.
  • The bags are then incubated in a well ventilated room at 25°C . During the mycelial growth bags should not be opened.
  • Open the bags, once the mycelia growth is completed in 15-16 days.
  • Arrange the opened beds on shelves at a distance of 20 cm between each bag in the tier or hanged with plastic rope.
  • Sprinkle the bed with rose cane daily twice depending upon the weather condition to maintain suitable moisture. Primordia (small eggs) appears within 4-5 days of opening the bag that came to the harvestable stage 3-4 days later.
  • The second crop appears after 7-10 days. Hence within 45 days crop period, 3-4 crops are expected.
  • Under optimum management 1.5-2 kg mushroom can be harvested in 3-4 flushes.