Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom

Notes

4
CULTIVATION OF OYSTER
MUSHROOM

In the previous lesson we learnt about the cultivation of button mushroom. In the
first lesson we had seen that oyster mushroom is the second most important
mushroom in terms of production in the world and also in India. Oyster mushroom
is scientifically known as Pleurotus. It is very popular in China, Japan and various
other East Asian countries including India. Its shape is like an oyster or big spoon
with stalk on one side and gills on the lower side.
Number of species of Pleurotus have been cultivated as a result of which we get
oyster mushrooms of all colours like white, grey, yellow, pink, etc. Some of the
commonly cultivated species are Pleurotus oesteratus, P. sapidus, P. florida, P.
sajor-caju, P. djamor, P. eous, P. citrinopileatus, P. flabellatus, P. eryngii etc.
Its cultivation is easy, but it has some critical steps to be taken care off like moisture
content, proper sterilization and layered spawning to get proper mycelial growth
and fruiting. There is no need to compost substrate (straw or other material used
for growing mushroom) as was done for growing button mushroom. It can be
grown on wide range of substrates and temperatures. Some species grow well
below 20°C and others grow well above 20°C. In this lesson we will learn how to
prepare the substrate and how to cultivate this mushroom.

OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson you will be able to:
z prepare substrates by different methods for growing oyster;
z learn about cultural conditions required for cropping;
z harvest and dry mushroom as per market demand.

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4.1 RAW MATERIALS AND PREPARATION OF SUBSTRATE

Oyster mushroom can be cultivated on wide variety of substrates like wheat straw, Notes
paddy straw, maize straw/cobs, cotton hulls, saw dust and so on. In fact it can be
grown on any cellulosic waste. In India we normally grow it on wheat or paddy
straw. It is more suitable for our country as:

z It can be grown on wide range of agricultural, horticultural and forest wastes

z There is no need of compositing, its cultivation technique is easy and it can

be grown on small scale in huts

z It can be grown in tropical part of our country as there are number of varieties
that can grow between 20-30°C. Moreover, we also have varieties that can
grow below 20 °C. These species also vary in colour (Fig 4.1)

z It has a short life cycle and mushrooms can be easily sun-dried

z It is a nutritious mushroom with medicinal benefits (like presence of cholesterol

lowering compound -lovastatin)

P. osteratus P. sajor-caju P. citrinopileatus P.djamor P. eous

15-18 °C 22-30°C 24-28°C 24-32°C 22-28°C

Fig. 4.1: Some oyster mushroom species varying in colour

and temperature requirement

The first step is to prepare the substrate. Composting of the substrate is not
required for cultivation of oyster mushroom species. As already mentioned,
number of cellulosic waste like wheat straw, paddy straw, corn cobs, saw dust,
cotton hulls, etc., can be used for cultivation depending upon the availability. Most
commonly used substrate in our country is wheat straw followed by paddy straw.
We should ensure that the substrate used is not exposed to rains after harvesting.
We can pasteurize or sterilize the substrate or even use it as such. Let us learn
different methods of preparation of substrate.

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4.1.1 Use of Straw as such without any Treatment

Notes We soak the straw in water as such overnight and used for cultivation. To make
the pH slightly basic, you may add lime powder (1%) in the water. We soak the
straw overnight, take it out and air dry before spawning. It must be ensured that
the straw is fresh, that is, not exposed to rain. The spawning rate is kept more, i.e.
4%. Normally we add about 2.5% spawn on wet weight basis. It may be proper
to keep moisture slightly less and also close the bags for higher carbon dioxide
production. However, this is not recommended method, particularly at commercial
level. It has been observed that farmers in Odisha follow this method with slight
modifications. Majority of the farmers in coastal regions in Odisha keep the bags
in single layer in simple huts made of coconut leaves (Fig. 4.2). Due to natural high
humidity, it becomes possible to cultivate this mushroom in simple huts.

Fig. 4.2: Cultivation of Oyster mushroom in simple huts in Odisha

4.1.2 Pasteurisation using Chemicals

We may sterilize the straw using chemicals
by soaking it in water containing formalin
and carbendazim (Fig. 4.3). Both of these
also inhibit the growth of mushroom.
Hence it is important that chemicals
should be pure and only recommended
dose is used. For 10 kg straw about 100
litres of water is needed to which 7.5 g
carbendazim (50WP) and 125 ml formalin
is added. Soak the straw in this solution
for 18 hours and then take out and air dry
for 2-4 hours depending upon the season.
In South India, farmers have innovated
and developed machines for drying the
straw (Fig. 4.4). These are like big Fig. 4.3: Chemical sterilization of wheat
washing machines used to dry clothes. straw using bavistin and formalin

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Notes

Fig. 4.4: Indigenous arrangement for removing water from straw. Mechanism is like
washing machine. Motor below, container for straw on top

4.1.3 Hot Water Treatment after Wetting the Straw

We wet the straw overnight. After taking out, soak it in hot boiling water. The straw
is allowed to stay in this water for few hours and is cooled before spawning. The
temperature of the hot water may be between 60-65°C. Over-boiling does not
mean better treatment of the straw. Rather it will lead to partial sterilization of the
straw which will attract more diseases. Secondly, soaking in hot water for
prolonged period can lead to anaerobic conditions which are not required.
However, many of us may find it difficult to heat large amounts of waters using
wood, oil or electricity. An alternative method is use of solar energy.

4.1.4 Direct Hot Water Treatment and use of Solar Water Heater
Dry paddy and wheat straw can be directly soaked in hot water. It is important that
a temperature of about 60 ±2°C is maintained for about an hour and after that the
straw can be spin dried and spawned. Actually direct treatment with hot water
leads to immediate removal of waxy layer of straw and water absorption becomes
easy. It has been observed that temperature above 65°C can be obtained in solar
water heater. It may be possible to use electricity or integrate electricity and solar
systems. Spin drying machine can be used to immediately remove excess water. We
can develop a system of using many solar water heaters and drums and substrate
can be filled in the drums at a regular interval of say 15 minutes. This way we can
continuously use the spinning machine (Fig. 4.5).

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Solar water heater

Notes

Drums for straw

pasteurization

Centrifugal machine
for drying straw

To spawn run room

To cropping rooms

Fig. 4.5: Solar energy based model for cultivation of oyster mushroom

4.1.5 Pasteurization in the Tunnels

Even though pasteurization using hot water is a better method as the heat
penetration is quick and uniform, but for commercial scale cultivation of oyster
mushroom, it may not be possible to use this method. Here pasteurization in tunnel
will be required. The method involves wetting straw, mixing 1% lime on dry weight
basis, turning the pile of 4’ width, 3-4’ height (length of pile will depend upon the
amount of substrate) every alternate day twice, filling in tunnel up to 4-5’, raising
the temperature to 60-62 °C using steam and maintaining it for 4-6 hours, followed
by conditioning for 30-36 hours at 44-48 °C and cooling down. The material is then
cooled and spawned.

4.1.6 Autoclaving
We may sterilize the straw by autoclaving. Straw is soaked, excess water is drained
and after air drying, it is filled in polypropylene bags and sterilized just like spawn
bags. For cultivation of some species of oyster mushroom like P. eryngii (King
Oyster), autoclaving is must. After autoclaving, the bags are cooled and spawned
under sterile conditions before laminar flow. This approach will ensure better
results and very less contamination. It will be more useful where aim is to produce
and sell spawn run bags at commercial scale or develop Ready To Fruit (RTF)
packets for urban horticulture.

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INTEXT QUESTIONS 4.1 Notes

State True or False
(i) Some species of Pleurotus can grow well below 20° and others grow well
above 20°C.
(ii) Oyster can be grown on any cellulosic waste.
(iii) Compositing of the substrate is required to grow oyster.
(iv) We need to case the bags to get mushrooms.
(v) Mushrooms appear on all sides of the bag.

4.2 CULTIVATION OF OYSTER

We spawn the pasteurized straw @ 2-3% spawn on wet weight basis. Two-five kg
wet substrate can be filled in each bag. In other words, one kg dry straw will require
about 100 g of spawn. Spawn can be mixed thoroughly or put in layers inside the
bag. Bags are kept inside room or any hut and can be kept on ground or in tiers
as in button mushroom or can be hung from the roof or rack with the help of nylon
rope (Fig. 4.6). Small perforations are made in the bags. Bags are kept at
temperature 24±2°C. Spawn run takes about two weeks when whole bag becomes
white. No light or fresh air is required for spawn run. Rather it is better to keep the
rooms closed.

Fig. 4.6: Bags hung from the racks

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For induction of fruiting, the bags require diffused light and fresh air for 3-4 hours
daily for production of normal fruit bodies. Large holes can be made in the bag or
Notes whole of polythene can be removed. In 3-4 flushes, one kg of dry straw can yield
0.5 to 1.0 kg fresh mushrooms (Fig. 4.7). The temperature during cropping is kept
around below 20°C or around 25°C (depending upon the species) and humidity is
maintained above 85%. Temperature requirement will vary with the species. The
development of colour will vary with temperature and duration of fruit-body on
the bag.

Fig. 4.7: (L to R): Spawning, bag filling, spawn run and fruiting in oyster

4.2.1 Ready to Fruit (RTF) Bags

If you are staying in urban areas, it may not be possible for you to make or obtain
small quantity of spawn, and also wet and heat straw and fill bags. Hence it is
important that such growers are provided ready-to-fruit bags. For growing
mushrooms for your own self, particularly in urban areas, ready to fruit bags are
now available. The fully colonized substrate is already packed inside these bags and
all you need to do is cut open the box on one or both sides and start watering. Within
10 days or so you will get the first crop.
RTF bags promote peri-urban horticulture. Even such bags can be used for science
projects in schools to educate the children about mushrooms. Such kits are
available in many countries and also in India (Fig. 4.8).

Fig. 4.8: Ready to Fruit bags

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Substrate production requires special facilities. All growers cannot have such
facilities. However, if spawned bags are available, almost everyone can cultivate
Notes
mushrooms. Thus producing ready to fruit bags is a novel vocation. However,
quality control will be very important as we cannot afford failure of bags especially
if someone has purchased only one or two bags.

Another approach is that of having satellite growers. That is, fully spawn run bags
are given to the farmers in the area and the produce is collected. By this approach
we will be able to get mushrooms of the same variety and thus the next important
vocation of packing and marketing can be undertaken.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 4.2

State True or False

(i) Spawning rate on dry weight basis is 10%.

(ii) Diffused light and fresh air is required for the formation of normal fruit bodies

(iii) Temperature required for the spawn run is around 25°C.

(iv) Temperature required for fruiting depends upon species and may be below or
above 20°C.

(v) Ready to fruit bags of oyster mushroom are now available in our country.

4.3 HARVESTING AND POST-HARVEST STORAGE

We harvest the mushrooms by twisting and we may cut any straw of substrate that
may be there on the stalk. Do not water the bags before harvesting. We can easily
sun dry oyster mushroom in open or in cabinets. The drying temperature should
not be high (>60°C) as mushrooms dried at higher temperature do not rehydrate
properly and also have poor smell. We can powder the dried mushrooms and
powder can be added to biscuits, various other bakery products, health foods, etc.
We can also make pickle of oyster mushroom after blanching just like button
mushroom. As this mushroom produces lot of spores, workers should invariably
wear masks inside the cropping room. A few people may be allergic to mushroom
spores. The cultivation method of this mushroom is the easiest. Cost of cultivation
is around Rs. 20-30 per kg under natural conditions.

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Notes INTEXT QUESTIONS 4.3

State True or False
(i) Oyster mushroom can be easily sun dried.
(ii) We should dry mushrooms below 60°C.
(iii) Dried mushroom can be powdered and used for making various products.
(iv) It is must to wear mask as this mushroom produces lot of spores and some
people can be allergic to these spores.
(v) Cost of cultivation is around Rs 20-30 per kg under natural conditions.

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

Let us recapitulate the important points we have learnt in this lesson:
z Pasteurisation using chemicals has played important role in the spread of the
technology but now there is going to be ban on the chemicals used for this
purpose (bavistin). Hence it may be apt that hot water treatment is followed.
z Overheating is not required and is rather harmful. This can be exemplified
using the analogy of pasteurisation of milk where we treat it at specific
temperature for short time and do not boil and pack it.
z It may be important to develop solar based model by making modification in
normal solar water heater to ensure that all the hot water comes out in one
go without getting diluted with cold water.
z Fresh air and diffused light is necessary for the formation of fruit bodies
z All species require around 25°C for spawn run, but for fruiting some species
require low whereas others require high temperature.

TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. What are the different methods of preparation of substrate?
2. Explain various steps from spawning to harvest and drying of mushrooms
3. Why diffused light and fresh air is necessary. What happens if these are not
provided?
4. Describe some of the methods of using fresh and dry oyster mushrooms.

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ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS Notes

4.1
(i) True (ii) True (iii) False
(iv) False (v) True

4.2
(i) True (ii) True (iii) True
(iv) True (v) True

4.3
(i) True (ii) True (iii) True
(iv) True (v) True

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
z Considering that it is very easy to grow oyster at home, try to prepare or
obtain one bag and attempt its cultivation.
z Search the literature and try to tabulate the temperature required for fruiting
of different species of oyster mushroom.

Key Learning Outcomes

z Cultivate oyster mushroom crop as per recommended method.
z Pick, grade and pack the harvested oyster mushroom.

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