Mushroom production

Home Forums Discussion Mushroom production

Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1424
    Nathan gomori
    Participant

    *Number one* introduction

    A mushroom develops in two stages: a vegetative phase when it grows and decomposes organic matter, and a fruiting phase, when mushrooms (fruiting bodies) are produced. The cool, moist environment in woodlands is ideal for the growth and development of mushrooms and some species can be cultivated under these conditions. The strategy in cultivating mushrooms is to introduce a desirable species onto a growing medium and promote its growth, so that eventually fruiting bodies are formed.

    #1425
    Nathan gomori
    Participant

    *Number one* introduction

    A mushroom develops in two stages: a vegetative phase when it grows and decomposes organic matter, and a fruiting phase, when mushrooms (fruiting bodies) are produced. The cool, moist environment in woodlands is ideal for the growth and development of mushrooms and some species can be cultivated under these conditions. The strategy in cultivating mushrooms is to introduce a desirable species onto a growing medium and promote its growth, so that eventually fruiting bodies are formed.
    *Number two* mushroom house

    It is also called the fruiting or growing house

    The dimension depends with the number of substrate bags the grower can handle

    Walls can be made from farm brick or wooden frame.

    Plastics should be used to linethe walls in order to increase the relative humidity in the production room

    A roof thatched with grass or banana leaves

    Air vents and windows on the upper side of the walls for ventilation and light to initiate fruiting

    The house should provides optimum conditions for fruiting

    Temperature 18 to 25°c

    Humidity 80 to 90 %
    *Number three* incubation/spawning room

    Spawned substrate bags are kept in this rooms for the mushroom mycelium to grow.

    Alternatively the spawned bags can be covered with a black plastic in the room

    If using the mushroom house for incubation the air vents and windows should be closed to provide dark conditions for sprawing

    Light is not needed in the incubation room and temperature should be about 24°c
    *Number four* mushroom spawn

    Spawn is refereed to as the mushroom seed in mushroom mycelium growing on sorghum, wheat or barley

    High quality Spawn should be obtained from reputable spawn laboratories
    *Number five* substrates

    This the agricultural waste on which the mushroom grows

    It can be;
    Finely chopped rice or Wheat straw
    Shredded maize cobs
    Cotton waste
    Banana leaves

    Any substrates should be pasteurized to avoid contaminations

    Add lime at 1 to 2% rate
    *Number six* incubation

    During incubation the mushroom grows 5o cover the whole substrate.

    Place spawned bags at 24°c in the dark incubation room or cover the bags with black plastic in the house

    Bags are ready for mushroom formation when the substrate appears white

    Full colonization occurs at 14 to 40 days

    Transfer bags to the mushroom house or expose the bags by removing the black plastic
    *Number seven* fruiting

    This is the formation of mushrooms

    Open the air vents or windows in the mushroom house to provide light and to initiate fruiting

    After on day open the bags by making long cuts or holes at the top and at the bottom of the bags using clean sharp instrument. Mushroom will form through the opening.

    Mushroom will begin to form in 3 to 4 days and will be ready for harvesting in next 2 to 3 days.

    A temperature range of 20 to 28°c

    Relative humidity 80 to 95%
    *Number eight* pests and diseases

    Moulds:
    Most common are green, yellow and black

    Damping off:
    Fungal competitor inhibiting mushroom growth
    *Number nine* weeds
    Inky cap
    Competitor weeds should be controlled
    *Number ten* problems in mushroom

    Poor yields

    Pest and diseases e.g bacteria snail and insects

    Poor spawn will result in poor quality

    *What should be done*

    Order high quality spawn

    Hygiene

    Sterilize all working instruments

    Keep doors and window closed

    Keep floors clean
    *Number eleven* harvesting

    By gently Twist the stalk and pull

    Harvest from the open ends first

    Make more long cuts or holes on the central portion of the bags so that more mushroom will be formed

    Continue to harvest as long as the substrate appears white

Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.