Mushroom Cultivation

Mushroom are the fruiting body of fungi seen above the ground that have stipe (stem like), pileus (umbrella shaped structure) and gills (parts under side of the cap, produces spores, the colour of the powdery print called spore print helps in the identification of mushroom). Some mushroom may have the ring like structure (annulus). Mushroom in general is used synonymously with white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporous.

Mushroom has its importance as food contained with nutritious values, medicinal values (Ganoderma lucidium), and some mushroom can be deadly (Amanita spp.).

Cultivated species of mushroom in Nepal

Mushroom cultivation started in Nepal after introducing white button mushroom in 1977 in Nepal.

There are 5 species of mushroom cultivated commercially.

1. Agaricus bisporus, White button mushroom, गोब्रे च्याउ

2. Pleurotus sp., Oyster Mushroom, कन्ये च्याउ

3. Shittake

4. Volvariella, Straw Mushroom

5. Ganoderma

Cultivation techniques of Pluerotus spp. and Agaricus

Mushroom cultivation can be done both indoor and outdoor depending on species. Shittake mushroom are traditionally grown outside where sterilization is not generally performed and are grown in hardwood logs (1 metre of length with diameter of 10 to 15 cm).

Indoor mushroom cultivation are commonly done. It helps on controlling pests and external environments with consistent production. Phases of indoor mushroom cultivation include

1. Composting (Phase I)


2. Composting and pasteurization (Phase II)


3. Spawning and growth


4. Casing


5. Pinning


6. Cropping

Production technology of Oyster Mushroom (steps)

~ Selection of suitable species and suitable materials:

Suitable in cold temperature: P. florida, P. ostreatus, P. cornucopiae

Suitable in hot temperature: P. sajor-caj, P. flabellatus, P. sapidus

~ Substrate Preparation:

Rice straw is suitable as the substrate which require partial sterilization.

~ Steam Pasteurization:

Rice straw chopped about 1 to 2 inches is dipped in clean water for 3 hours, which later should be steamed (at 60 to 80 degrees C).

~ Hot water treatment

Chopped straw can be dipped in hot water at 80 degrees C for few hours.

~ Composting

Here, the substrate can be dipped in clean water and 0.5 % urea and 1% lime is mixed thoroughly. The substrate can be heaped at about the height of 1 metre.

~ Chemical Treatment

Carbindazim 50% wp, 75 ppm and Formaldehyde 500 ppm is used together.

~ Spawning

~ Spawn

Spawn should be pure and of higher quality. It should not be contaminated.

~ Crop Management

Spawning is completed in closed room. The temperature of the room should be around 25 degree C. In times of fruiting, ventilation is necessary. The light requirements for premordium (white, small newly formed mushroom) requires 8 to 12 hours of 200 lux.

Harvesting is done with sharp knife and the number of harvesting depends.

Production technology of Button Mushroom

~ Organic Materials:

The rice straw and leftovers of plant materials are considered for organic materials.

~ Supplements:

Nitrogen and other nutrients are required for composting. Animal manures are added to maintain Carbon Nitrogen ratio. Similarly, for pH balance lime is added.

The raw materials differs accordingly to the requirements.

~ Compost

The methods of preparation of compost are long method, short method, indoor method. The duration of composting varies, long method requires long duration and is usually not practiced as pasteurized process are not applied in it. In short method, the duration is shorter and the process include pasteurization (the materials are pasteurized at 55 to 60 degrees for 6 to 8 hours) and conditioning (temperature dropped at 45 to 42 degrees C).

~ Spawning:

~ Casing

~ Crop Management

~ Harvesting