Effect of Substrate Sterilization and Spawning Method on the Yield and Yield Attributes of Milky White Mushroom (Calocybe indica)

Sterilization of uncomposted substrate is necessary to avoid contamination and promote mycelium growth for getting maximum yield of mushroom. Spawning method is also important for evenly growth of mycelium in the substrate. Therefore, the present experiment was carried out to investigate the impact of substrate sterilization technique and spawning method on yield and yield attributes of C. indica. Seven different treatments such as Steam treatment of substrate and spawning in 3 layers (T1), Steam treatment of substrate and spawning thoroughly (T2), Autoclaving of substrate and top spawning (T3), Autoclaving of substrate and spawning in 3 layers (T4), Autoclaving of substrate and spawning thoroughly (T5), Hot water treatment of substrate and spawning in 3 layers (T6) and Hot water treatment of substrate and spawning thoroughly (T7) were used in this experiment. Mycelium colonization, substrate contamination, days to total harvest, yield and biological efficiency was significantly affected by substrate sterilization technique and spawning method. Faster mycelium colonization, no substrate contamination, highest yield and biological efficiency was recorded in substrate treated with hot water and inoculated in three layers (T6). Result revealed that hot water treatment in combination with three layer spawning of rice straw substrate was the best substrate sterilization technique & spawning method for milky white mushroom cultivation.