A new high yielding low cost technology for the cultivation of Volvariella volvacea (paddy straw mushroom)

Room pasteurization (RP) is one of the most widely used methods for the cultivation of Volvariella volvacea (paddy straw mushroom). While, tunnel pasteurization (TP) is least utilized so far for its cultivation. In this study, we have investigated the impact of the TP method on the yield of the paddy straw mushroom strains (DMRO-484 and DMRO-463). In addition to this, the cultivation of this mushroom has been carried on rice straw in different cultivation systems such as beds, plastic crates (PC) and polyethylene (PE) bag system. The results indicated that the higher yield was in the PE bag system followed by PC and bed system. Notably, significantly higher number of fruit body was also observed in the PE bag system followed by PC and bed system. On the other hand, the comparative analysis of its economics revealed that TP was the most cost-effective method as compared to RP method. Overall, substrate preparation through TP technology followed by cultivation in PE bag system will ultimately enhance the profitability of the paddy straw mushroom growers.