Mushroom: Best supplement for health

Mushroom cultivation has become increasingly popular in recent years, as people look for new ways to grow their own food and explore sustainable agricultural practices. In this blog, we will explore the basics of mushroom cultivation and provide some tips for those looking to get started.

Choose Your Mushroom Species: The first step in mushroom cultivation is to choose the species of mushroom you want to grow. Some popular options include shiitake, oyster, and button mushrooms, which are relatively easy to grow and widely available.

Prepare the Growing Substrate: The next step is to prepare the growing substrate. This can include a variety of materials, such as straw, sawdust, or compost. The substrate should be sterilized to remove any unwanted bacteria or fungi and create a clean environment for the mushrooms to grow.

Inoculate the Substrate: Once the substrate has been prepared, it is time to inoculate it with mushroom spores or mycelium. This can be done by adding spores to the substrate or by using pre-inoculated spawn, which contains mycelium and is designed to speed up the growth process.

Incubate the Substrate: After inoculating the substrate, it is time to incubate it. This involves keeping the substrate at a specific temperature and humidity level to encourage the growth of the mycelium. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the species of mushroom and the growing conditions.

Fruit the Mushrooms: Once the mycelium has colonized the substrate, it is time to fruit the mushrooms. This involves creating a humid environment and exposing the substrate to fresh air and light. Within a few days, mushrooms should start to appear, and they can be harvested once they have reached the desired size.

Repeat the Process: After harvesting the mushrooms, the substrate can be reused to grow another batch. Simply repeat the process of sterilizing the substrate, inoculating it with spores or mycelium, and incubating it until it is ready to fruit.

In conclusion, mushroom cultivation can be a fun and rewarding hobby, as well as a sustainable source of food. By choosing the right species of mushroom, preparing the growing substrate, inoculating the substrate, incubating it, fruiting the mushrooms, and repeating the process, anyone can start growing their own delicious mushrooms at home.

Dr. Ravi Prakash Mishra

Asso. Prof./ Head

School of Agriculture