Compost Preparation of White Button Mushroom:

Compost is functions as a substrate for growing mushrooms which is prepared by partially decomposing the organic matter (Cereal straw / sugarcane bagasse ) under aerobic conditions.

In the long method of compost preparation, the entire composting operation is done in open fields and the pasteurization of compost is carried out by natural means. In the short method of composting is done in two-part.

The formula for making 2000 kg compost is (suggested by ICAR-DMR, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India)

Wheat straw 1000 kg; Chicken manure 400 kg; Wheat bran 70 kg; Urea 14.5 kg; Gypsum 30 kg

In the first part, the wheat straw is thoroughly wetted on the cemented floor and mixed with the chicken manure and wheat bran, and kept as such for two days in a pile.  After that, the pile is broken and water is added to the dry portion and again the stack is made.

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After four days the compost is turned and the entire quantity of urea is added and again the pile is made. The stack is again turned and watered after every two days and gypsum is added after the third turning. During this stage, the temperature of the pile will rise to 70-80⁰C. The final turning is given on the 12th day and the color of the compost changes into dark brown and starts emitting a strong ammonia smell.

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To kill the undesirable microbes and to remove the ammonia smell, the compost is pasteurized in pasteurization tunnels. In pasteurization tunnels, the compost is filled to the maximum height of 2 to 2.3 meters. The temperature in the tunnel should be range between 45 and 480C. The temperature of the compost was raised to 48-52⁰C with the help of fresh air for 48 hrs. Again, the temperature is raised to 58-620C for 4-6 hrs by inducting the steam. Bring down the temperature to 48-52⁰C and allow the compost to retain at this temperature for 3 days. When no ammonia persists in the compost (measured by ammonia meter) bring down the compost temperature to room temperature. The final compost should be granular, dark brown color, sweet smell, 65-70% moisture with pH 7.2-7.5, and free of ammonia smell.

Spawning of Button Mushroom :

On a clean and disinfected area, 500 – 750gm of grain spawn is mixed with 100kg of prepared compost. Fill the 10kg of spawned compost in polythene bags of 50-60cm in size. Maintain 65-70% moisture content of the substrate with 23±1⁰C temperature. The complete colonization of mycelium will take 12-14 days.