Diversity of Genus Volvariella in Faizabad district

Faizabad is located at 260 470 N to 260 780 N latitude and 82.080 E to 82.130 E longitude having an average elevation of 97 meters above the sea level. It is situated on the bank of river Ghaghra formally known as Saryu. It lies in transitional zone between central and the tarai region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh which enjoys a climate congenial for the growth of fungi in general and mushrooms in particular. Genus Volvariella belongs to family Pluteaceae of order Agaricales, have been reported from tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of both the eastern and the western hemispheres. Few surveys were made to explore its biodiversity from different parts of district Faizabad during June-September, 2006-12. Three Volvariella spp. viz., V. volvacea, V. indica and V. bombycina were collected and identified during the study. Among them, V. volvacea was found in abundance in rice fields and exposed paddy straw stocks. Few specimens were also gathered from mango and jamun orchard while few were obtained from decaying wood of Phoenix sylvestris and decomposed saw dust. These were collected in full bloom in sultry weather of late June- mid September. However their existence was also noticed during the later part of September. 

Volvariella volvacea on paddy straw

Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

Volvariella indica was also found in plenty from mango orchards, grass land and in association with bamboo trees. These were collected in full bloom in sultry weather of late June- August. Their existence was occasionally noticed during the first half of September. 

Volvariella indica

Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

V. bombycina was a rare species which found only on decaying log of Ficus religiosa and F. lacor. These were collected in the month of July-August. (Link)

Volvariella bombycina

Photo © Dr. R.S. Kanaujia

Cited this as: Ruchira Singh, Siddhant and R.S. Kanaujia (2013):Diversity of Genus Volvariella in Faizabad district. 3rd National Conference on "Environment and Biodiversity of India" organized by North East Center for Environmental Education and Research (NECEER), Imphal in association with PE Society's Modern College, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra. Oct 06, 2013. p.51-52. (Abstract)  

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मेरी कलम 09:13  No comment

अक्स

घड़ी से गिरते
एक वक्त में
मैंने कैद कर लिया
तुम्हारा अक्स,
ठीक उसी रोज़
जब अमीबा ने किया था
पहला द्विगुणन
और विकास क्रम में बनी थी
पहली पादप कोशिका ..............
उसी रोज़
मैंने टांग दिया था
तुम्हारा अक्स
मेरी खिड़की से झाँकते
क्षितिज पर,
अब जब भी रात होती है
तुम्हारा अक्स चमक उठता है,
तुम्हारे प्रकाश से प्रकाशित
मेरे कक्ष के एक कोने में
मैं अब भी तुम पर
कहानियां गढ़ता  हूँ,
सुनो कि तुम अब भी
मेरी कहानियो में जिन्दा हो ।।

                                                  - सिद्धान्त
                                                सितम्बर 15, 2013
                                                   रात्रि 11:30        

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मेरी कलम 10:30  No comment

Trust in your mushrooms

Pleurotus sajor-caju, an edible mushroom belonging to order Agaricales of class Basidiomycetes is most promising mushroom, coming next to button mushroom in respect of its production at global level, although it is not valid oyster species even then it is as nutritious as other valid taxa which makes it an ideal food for human consumption.  In India, it is admired in especially due to its flavour, taste and above all easy method of growing without using any sophisticated infrastructure as compared to button mushroom. The Pleurotus spp. can be cultivated on a wide range of agro-industrial waste which is attacked by several competitor of fungal and bacterial origin. The antagonistic relationship between these micro-flora and desired fungus contribute a low productivity of mushrooms. In severe cases, complete failure of mushroom crop may take place. To eliminate weed, proper disinfection of substrate is recommended which is achieved by various means such as autoclaving, hot water application, radiation treatment, chemical applications etc. At commercial level it is done by steam sterilization method. Disinfection of substrate at home is probably a big goal for mushroom lovers. Sometimes, due to unproper pasteurization, wild microflora get a chance to compete with mushroom mycelium for space and nutrients. Generally, in such circumstances, contaminated bags are discarded. 

Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

I recommend to keep a trust in your mushrooms, they never hurt you. Give a long incubation period for contaminated bags so that mushroom mycelium may overcome the substrate. Once it happen, you can get healthy mushroom crop (Plate1 &2). 

Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

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मेरी कलम 03:08  No comment

EFFECT OF OXYTOCIN ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF OYSTER MUSHROOM: A RESEARCH NOTE

Oxytocin is a peptide of nine amino acids (a nonapeptide). Its systematic name is cysteine-tyrosineisoleucine-glutamine-asparagine-cysteine-proline-leucine-glycine-amine (cys – tyr – ile – gln – asn – cys – pro – leu – gly - NH2, or (CYIQNCPLG-NH2). Recent news reports indicate increased misuse of  Oxytocin injection in fruits, vegetable farming sectors. Oxytocin injections are  injected in mainly Cucurbitaceae vegetables such as bottle gourds, bitter gourds, sponge gourd, pumpkins etc. This drug injection is administered in the roots of the plants or directly in fruits, vegetables to produce bigger and more quantity of fruits and vegetables. This treatment makes their appearance fresh and fluffy. Keeping this in mind, we have designed several experiments on oxytocin to visualized their effect on mushroom growth. 

Wheat straw (WS) was used as a growing medium for the cultivation of Pleurotus sajor-caju. It was filled in 42×30 cm sized polypropylene bags. These were then washed throughly in fresh water, and pasteurized in a solution of formaldehyde (500 ppm ) and Bavistin (75 ppm ) for 18 h. Under aseptic conditions, these were inoculated with mushroom spawn @ 10% w/w on dry weight basis and incubated at 25-30°C for mycelial growth. Once mycelium has completely colonized the substrate, The polythene covering were trun off and humidity of room is maintained 80-95% with the help of humidifier. 

Oxytocin treatment: Pure oxytocin and their dilutions (0.1, 0.2 0.3 and 0.5 % v/v) were used in following ways:

T1- The aforesaid dilutions of oxytocin were sprayed separately on wheat straw substrate at the time of spawning.

T2- These were also sprayed on mushroom beds after the date of bag opening. 

T3- Pure oxytocin and its dilutions were directly injected to mushroom sporocarp.

The results indicated that oxytocin treatments neither minimized the production cycle nor it enhanced mushroom yield especially in relation to the size of fruit bodies.

Note: This was just a experimental trial. We do not recommend the use of Oxytocin for mushrooms as well as vegetable cultivation because of its health hazards.

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मेरी कलम 01:26  No comment

वेश्याएं

यहोवा ने यद्यपि
आदम और ईव ही रचे थे,
पर एक रोज आँख बचाकर
आदम ने वेश्याएं गढ़ दीं,
क्रोधित यहोवा कुछ न कर सके
आदम ने रोजी के सवाल जो रख दिए
बेफिक्र आदम
मोल -भाव करता रहा.…….
वेश्याएं बेचता रहा।
यूँ तो, कस्बों की औरतों को
पता था सब कुछ,
पर ज्यादातर समय वे चुप ही रहीं,
स्वार्थी औरतें जानती थीं
कि वेश्याओं की माँघ नहीं होती,
इसलिए उनके कस्बाई घर
सलामत रहे।
एक रोज़ वेश्याओं के बाल 
सिन्दूरी हो गए,
एक रोज़ उनके भारी पैर
लोगों को चुभ गए,
एक रोज़ वो जानने लगीं आदम का सच
उस  रोज़  यहोवा ग्लानि से भर गए ।।
                                     
                                                    - सिद्धान्त
                                                  जुलाई 29, 2013
                                                    रात्रि 10:35 

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मेरी कलम 10:12  No comment

नमक (भाग-2)

बोलीविया के
आगे का सच
बस इतना ही था,
कि तुम बादल बन
बरसते रहे.........
और मेरा नमक
तुममे घुलता रहा।
मेरी बहुत खारी
झील में,
हमारे प्रेम के सिवा,
फिर कुछ न पनपा॥
                                         - सिद्धांत
                                       जुलाई 19, 2013
                                       रात्रि 11:07 

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मेरी कलम 10:38  No comment

नमक (भाग-1)

मैं
बोलीविया की
एक झील था,
झील में घुला
नमक
मेरे शब्द थे,
तुम पानी थे
जो उड़ गया.......
अब मेरे अंदर का
नमक
मीलों तक
पसरा है,
मेरी कवितायें
मेरे नमक का
हक़ अदा कर
रही हैं॥


                               - सिद्धान्त
                               

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मेरी कलम 03:55  No comment

अनबन

एक रोज़

जो तुमने कहा था

कि फबते नहीं

रंग तुम पर,

बस उसी रोज से

रंगों से मेरी

अनबन है। 

अब एक मैं हूँ

तुम हो और

स्याह सब कुछ,

रात

मेरी कविताओं के

जंगल से  

डरावनी आवाज़े 
आती हैं॥

                         - सिद्धांत 
                       जून 20, 2013  

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मेरी कलम 08:11  No comment

अलविदा

तुम्हारी
यादों के पुलिंदे
और एक ख़त
मेरी टाँण  पर
रखे हैं,
उसी टाँण पर
दाहिनी तरफ
तुम्हारे
कुछ मुट्ठी भर
गीत पड़े हैं,
आज जब
पानी बरसेगा
तो तुम्हारे
ख़त की नाव में
मैं वो पुलिंदे
तुम्हें भेज दूंगा।
सुनो.......
देर रात
अपनी खिड़की से
जब मैं
तुम्हारे गीत
गुनगुनाऊँ............
अपनी मुडेर पर आकर
तुम वो गीत भी
ले लेना।।

                                   - सिद्धांत
                                   जून ६ , २ ० १ ३
                                    रात्रि १ .३ ०

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मेरी कलम 06:28  2 comments

RECYCLING OF SPENT OYSTER MUSHROOM SUBSTRATE TO RECOVER ADDITIONAL VALUE (PART-2)

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) left after the cultivation of oyster mushroom  is a nutrient rich by-product. It can be used in different ways like as fuel sources, as plant growing media, as disease controlling agents, to re-use in cultivation of mushrooms, to produced ruminant feed and to produced fertilizers etc.    
In present communication, SMS obtained from cultivation of Pleurotus eous was recycled as a fertilizer for the growth and yield potential of Spinacea oleracea. 

Cultivation methodology:

SMS was used to explore its ability as a fertilizer. It was milled and sieved through 0.2 cm sieves. Three different proportions 1, 3 and 5 % (w/w) were added to the soil as adopted by Shukry et al., (1999). Each proportion was mixed thoroughly with the soil and placed in 15 cm diameter pot. Fifteen seeds of test plant (Spinacea oleracea) were sown 0.5" deep in this mixture and growth in respect of yield (g) was recorded. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed for this experiment. The data were statistically analyzed and the critical difference (CD) was worked out at five percent probability level. 

Results:

SMS containing sets showed early seed germination than pure soil. The time of germination decreased with increasing proportion of SMS and recorded minimum in 5% SMS proportion sets. However, such trends were not observed in harvesting time where all the sets took equal time (37 days). The yield of Spinacia oleracea was observed higher in all treatments. It was recorded significant only in 5% SMS containing sets (120 gm). (Table)

Effect of SMS on germination and yield of Spinacea oleracea

The result revealed that supplementation of higher dose of SMS not only gives early seed emergence but also increased the yield performance of Spinacia oleracea.(Figure)

Effect of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as fertilizer on germination and yield of Spinacia oleracea.

Discussion: 

SMS supplemented sets showed shorter time for seed germination. A positive effect of SMS on yield of Spinacia oleracea was also noticed where its high Proportion showed significant production of crop. This may be because of the SMS improved the physical property of soil by decreasing soil bulk density, increasing aggregate stability, reducing surface crust formation and diurnal temperature changes, increasing the infiltration rate, aeration and water retaining capacity of the soil. It is well known that physical properties of soil were directly related to crop yield (Stewart et al., 1998). It also maintains high organic matter content in the soil. Zheng and co-worker stated that it contains higher percentage of three primary nutrients e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as a fertilizer (Rinker et al., 2004) while Zadrazil (1976) suggested that during growth on straw, Pleurotus releases humic acids like fractions when added to soil which increase its fertility. In addition, humic substances may affect the plant biochemical process (Vaughan et al., 1985). Shukry et al. (1999) reported that addition of straw in the soil caused an increase in the number of total bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi of the rhizosphere. Ranyanathan and Selvaseelan (1994) observed that the yield of green gram increased in plots previously supplied with mushroom spent rice straw. López Castro et al., (2008) stated that Pleurotus waste was adequate to sustain the growth of Salvia officinalis by improving air porosity and mineral content of the soil.(See original) 

References:

• López Castro, R. I., Delmastro, S. and N. R. Curvetto (2008). Spent oyster mushroom substrate in a mix with organic soil for plant pot cultivation. Mycologia applicada international 20(1): 17-26.
• Ranyanathan, D.S. and D.A. Selvaseelan (1994). Residual effect of mushroom spent rice straw compost on yield and nutrient uptake in green gram. Madras Agril. J., 81:478.
• Rinker, D.L. , ZERI and S.W. Kang (2004). Recycling of oyster mushroom substrate. In: Mushroom Growers’ Handbook-1. 9:187-191.
• Stewart, D. P. C., Cameron, K. C., Cornforth, I. S. and J. R. Sedcole (1998). Effects of spent mushroom substrate on soil physical conditions and plant growth in an intensive horticultural system. Australian journal of soil research 36(6): 899 – 912.
• Shukry, W.M., El-Fallal, A.A. and H.M.S. El-Bassiouny (1999). Effect of spent wheat straw growth, growth hormones, metabolism and rhizosphere of Cucumis sativa. Egypt. J. Physiol. Sci., 23:39-69.
• Vaughan, D., R.E. Malcolm and B.D. Ord (1985). Influence of humic substances on biochemical processes in plants. In: D. Vaughan and D.R. Malcolm (Ed.), Soil organic matter and biological activity. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp: 37-45.

Cite this as:

Siddhant and C.S. Singh (2009). Recycling of spent oyster mushroom substrate to recover additional value. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology. 5(2): 66-71

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मेरी कलम 22:47  1 comment

RECYCLING OF SPENT OYSTER MUSHROOM SUBSTRATE TO RECOVER ADDITIONAL VALUE (PART-1)

Oyster mushrooms is cultivated on a wide range of fresh agro-wastes. During its cultivation, a gradual depletion of nutrients from substrate takes place due to subsequent utilization of mushroom mycelium. This depleted substrate is known as spent mushroom substrate (SMS). Its reutilization gives additional benefit to mushroom growers. It can be utilized to prepare manure. It can also be used as feed for animals and as feeding material for vermicomposting and biogas production. 
In present communication, possibilities of reutilization of spent substrate was carried out for the cultivation  of various mushroom species.

Cultivation methodology:

The fresh wheat straw was selected as a substrate for the cultivation of three oyster species, viz., Pleurotus sajor-caju strain-Malaysia, P. flabellatus and P. florida Strain-P1. It was washed in fresh water and then pasteurized in the solution of formaldehyde (500ppm) and bavistin (75 ppm)for 18 hours as recommended by Vijay and Sohi (1987). Spent substrate, left after cultivation of Pleurotus eous was then autoclaved and mixed with this substrate at the rate of 10, 15 and 25%. The beds were prepared by layer spawning following the procedure of Bano(1971). These were incubated in cultivation room at 22-30 ° C for spawning running. When mycelium had completely covered the beds, the polythene covering was taken off and relative humidity was maintained 85-95%. Time lapsed in spawn running and Primordial development, yield and biological efficiency of mushroom was separately recorded for each oyster species. The biological efficiency was expressed as percentage yield of fresh mushroom in relation to dry weight of substrate (Chang and Miles,1989). 

Results and Discussion:

The spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was utilized by all the Pleurotus spp, viz., P. sajor-caju Strain- Malaysia, P. florida Strain- P1 and P. flabellatus. All the sets supplemented with SMS gave higher yield and biological efficiency than unsupplemented one (Control).

Cultivation of Oyster species (A) P. sajor-caju, (B) P. florida Strain  P1 (C) P. flabellatus on 25% SMS supplemented sets

The yield increased with increase in proportion of SMS supplementation. In case of Pleurotus sajor-caju and P. flabellatus, it was recorded significant only in 25% supplemented sets (345 g, 69% and 525 g, 105% respectively while in P. florida, the significant yield and B.E. was observed in 15 % and 25% SMS supplemented sets (550g, 110% and 565g, 113% respectively). It might be due to increased mineral and protein content in SMS(Silva et.al., 2002; Ceci Sales-Campos et.al., 2009)which is available to fungus after supplementation. The role of minerals in the fruiting of mushrooms is well established.(Table)(See Original)

Table: Effect of SMS supplementation on yield potential of mushroom

References:

• Bano, Z. (1971). Cultivation of Pleurotus flabellatus. Second Int. Symp. Pl. Pathol., New Delhi (Abstract No. 135)
• Ceci Sales-Campos, Augusta Ferreira Eira, Marli Teixeira de Almeida Minhoni and meire Cristina Nugueira de Andrade (2009): Mineral composition of raw material, substrate and fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus in culture. Interciencia 34 (6): 432-436. 
• Chang, S.T. and P.G. Miles (1989). Edible Mushrooms and Their Cultivation, CRC Press, Bocaa Raton, pp. 256-274.
• Silva S.O., Costa S.M.G. and Clemente E.(2002): Chemical composition of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel., substrates and residue after cultivation. Braz. Arch. Biol. Technol. 45:531-535.
• Vijay, B. and H.S. Sohi (1987). Cultivation of oyster mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju(Fr.) Singer on chemically sterilized wheat straw. Mush. J. Tropics 7:67-75.

Cite this as:

Siddhant and C.S. Singh (2009). Recycling of spent oyster mushroom substrate to recover additional value. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology. 5(2): 66-71

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मेरी कलम 00:53  No comment

Effect of wheat straw components on the yield of Pleurotus eous

Pleurotus is commonly known as Oyster mushroom. It can be cultivate on wide range of agro-waste (Poppe, 2004). Most of these wastes have a C/N ratio between 32 and 600 and a P^H 5.0 and 7.5 (Poppe, 2000). A lot of work has been done in India and abroad for Pleurotus cultivation on various kinds of agro-wastes like cereal and millet waste (Rai, 1997;  Sharma, 2003; Siddhant et.al. 2009), pulses and oil crop waste (Jain and Vyas, 2005; Nivedita and Singh, 2004), vegetable and fruit waste (Yoshikawa and Tsuetaki, 1979; Poppe, 2004), beverage and sugarcane crop waste (Chandrashekar et.al. 2001; Moda, 2005), cotton and palm waste (Pani et.al. 1997; Croan, 2000; Shah et.al. 2004), wood and wood products (Das et.al. 2000; Singh and Kaushal, 2001), grasses and weeds (Poppe, 1995; Negi and Gupta, 1995; Kumar et.al. 2000; Singh et al. 1991, Poppe, 2004) ect at different time interval. Although, on the commercial scale, only few of them have been accepted for its cultivation. Among them, wheat straw is one of the popular substrate which is obtained from the threshing of harvested wheat crop. It is composed of pieces of stem (S), leaves (L) and leaf sheath (LS). In present communication, these were assessed for the yield potential of pink oyster mushroom Pleurotus eous. 

Cultivation methodology:

Micro-organism:
The pure culture of Pleurotus eous (Berk) Sacc. was obtained from the mushroom section of Plant Pathology Department, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) India. The culture was maintained and subcultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium.

Spawn strategy:

Wheat grains (Triticum aestivum) were used as a spawn substrate. The spawn was prepared by conventional method. 

Substrate preparation:

           Different component of wheat straw, viz., fine pieces of L and LS (0.2 cm),  coarse pieces of L and LS (0.4cm), small pieces of stem (1.0cm) and  large pieces of stem(1.7 cm) were washed separately in fresh water and then pasteurized in the solution of Formaldehyde (500ppm) and Bavistin (75ppm) for 18 hours as recommended by Vijay and Sohi (1987).

Mushroom cultivation:

The beds were prepared from pasteurized substrate by layer spawning following the procedure of Bano (1971). These were incubated in a cultivation room at 22-30°C for spawn running. When mycelium had completely covered the beds, the polythene covering was taken off and the relative humidity was maintained 85-95 %  with the help of humidifier. The yield parameters recorded were, time lapsed in spawn running, pin head initiation and maturity of fruit bodies, number of flushes, yield and biological efficiency. The biological efficiency was expressed as percentage yield of fresh mushrooms in relation to the dry weight of the substrate according to Chang and Miles (1989).

Statistical analysis:

Completely randomized design (CRD) was followed for the experiment. All data were statistically analysed. The critical difference (CD) processed at the five per cent probability level.

Results and Discussion: 

The component had variable effects on duration of spawn running, pinning and fruit body maturation, which ranged from 15-24 days, 18-29 days and 22-34 days, respectively (Table). The fine and coarse component i.e. pieces of leaf and leaf sheath took longer duration in aforesaid manifestations. It was due to less air space available and much water holding capacity of the substrate particles. They also showed decrease in yield with greater incidence of contamination. Low biological efficiency of mushrooms might be due to less food material available in L & LS while susceptibility against contaminants was possibly due to presence of dust particles that provide inoculum for the development of competitors. 

Average of three replication

        Table: Effect of wheat straw components on mushroom yield

The highest yield was obtained from the small and large pieces of stem with 341 g, 68.2% and 336 g, 67.2 %, respectively. Statistically, these were at par to each other. Absence of contaminants along with higher yield revealed the importance of these components. ([PDF] from ijcmas.com)

References: 

• Bano, Z. 1971. Cultivation of Pleurotus flabellatus. Second Int. Symp. Pl. Pathol., New Delhi. (Abstract No. 135).
• Chandrashekar, B.S., V. Savalgi and J.H. Kulkarni (2001): Cultivation trails of Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer on sodium hydroxide pretreated sugarcane by-products. Mush. Res.10(1): 27-30. 
• Chang, S.T. and P.G. Miles. 1989. Edible mushrooms and their cultivation, CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 256-274.
• Croan, S.C. (2000): Conversion of wood waste into value-added products by edible and medicinal Pleurotus (F.) P. Karst. Species (Agaricales  s.l., Basidiomycetes). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 2:73-80.
• Das, N., S.C. Mahapatra and R.N. Chattopadhyay (2000): Use of wild grasses as substrate for the cultivation of oyster mushroom in South West Bengal. Mush. Res. 9(2): 95-99. 
• Jain, A.K. and D. Vyas (2005): Comparative study on the yield of three Pleurotus species grown in several lignocellulosic by-products. J. Basic Appl. Mycol. 4(I&II): 155-157.
• Kumar, P., J. Pal and B.M. Sharma (2000): Cultivation of Pleurotus sajor-caju on different substrates. Mushroom Res. 9(1): 43-45.
• Moda, E.M., J. Horii and M.H.F. Spoto (2005): Edible mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju production on washed and supplemented sugarcane bagasse. Scientia Agricola (Piracicaba, Braz.) 62(2): 127-132.
• Negi, P.S. and R.C. Gupta (1995): Cannabis sativa (Bhang) leaves a suitable substrate to cultivate Pleurotus sajor-caju.  Indian J. Mycol. Pl. Pathol. 25(3): 304-305.
• Nivedita, L. and N.I. Singh (2004): Lignocellulose degradation by mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Environmental Biology and Conservation, 9: 89-90.
• Pani,B., S. Panda and S. Das (1997): Utilization of some by-products and other wastes for sporophore production of oyster mushroom. Orissa Journal of Horticulture 25(1): 36-39.
• Poppe, J. (1995): Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms on tropical agricultural wastes. Biennial Training course. ABOS & VLIR. University Gent. 
• Poppe, J. (2000): Use of agricultural waste materials in the cultivation of mushrooms. In: L. Van Griensven: Proceedings 15th International Congress on Science and Cultivation of Edible Fungi, Balkema Rotterdam, 3-23.
• Poppe, J. (2004): Agricultural wastes as substrate for oyster mushroom. In: Mushroom Growers’ Handbook1, 5:75-85. 
• Rai, B.K. (1997): Cultivation of oyster mushroom on straws. VASUNDHARA (International Journal of Environmental Biology) 2: 83-84.
• Shah, Z.A., M. Ashraf and M. Ishtiaq Ch. (2004): Comparative study on cultivation and yield performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on different substrates (Wheat straw, Leaves, Saw Dust). Pakistan Journal of Nutition 3(3): 158-160.
• Sharma, B.B. (2003): Effect of different substrate (Grain/ Straw) on spawn growth and yield of pink oyster mushroom Pleurotus djamor (Fr.) Boedijn. J. Mycol. Pl. Pathol., 33(2): 265-268. 
• Siddhant, Ruchira Singh and R.S. Kanaujia (2009): Cultivation of Pleurotus flabellatus (Berk. Et Br.) Sacc. using different waste substrates. Journal of the Indian Botanical Society 88(1&2):137-139.
• Singh, C.S., A.B. Prasad and R.S. Kanaujia (1991): Naked patsan stem sticks: a promising substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus sajor-caju. Indian Phytopathol. Zonal Meeting, (Abstract72). 
• Singh, M.P. and S.C. Kaushal (2001): Common grass- a potent substrate of oyster mushroom. Mush. Res. 10(1): 43-45. 
• Vijay, B. and H.S. Sohi 1987. Cultivation of oyster mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer on chemically sterilized wheat straw. Mush. J. Tropics 7: 67-75. 
• Yoshikawa, K. and N. Tsuetaki (1979): Utilization of citrus unshiu peels as primary substrate for edible mushroom cultivation. Hakkokogaku Kaishi  57(6): 467-488.

Cite this as: 

Siddhant, Swapanil Yadav, Aquil Ahmad and C.S. Singh (2013). Effect of wheat straw components on the yield of Pleurotus eous. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Science. 2(8):221-225.

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मेरी कलम 23:37  No comment

Spawned casing vs Simple casing: A Research Note

The word 'casing' means covering of mushroom beds with a layer of soil (casing soil). Though the exact origin of this step in mushroom culture is not known, yet its use seems to have been two hundred year old. Casing soil is a nutrient deficient medium which provide nutritional stress to vegetative mushroom mycelium to encourage fruit. It regulate temperature and prevents quick drying of spawned compost. It also gives mechanical support to the mushroom sporophore.
In 1974, MacCanna and Flanagen have developed a spawned casing technique, in which small quality of fully run spawn are added to casing medium before application to mushroom beds. This results in early commencement of crop and simplifying the management of pre-fruiting period. This practice is widely used for the cultivation of button mushroom where pin is developed due to nutritional stress provided by casing soil. However, it is not necessary for oyster mushroom cultivation where primordia develop and economic optimum yield can be obtained without using casing application. 
I have observed  the effect of spawned and simple casing on the cultivation of pink oyster mushroom Pleurotus eous. The  results exhibit that spawned casing not only takes lesser time for case run but also produces early primordial development. A positive response on mushroom biomass  is also noticed in this technique. (PDF copy)

Effect of casing technique on cropping of Pleurotus eous
Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

Cite this as: Siddhant and OP Ukaogo (2017): Spawned Casing vs Simple Casing. Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research. 4(1):1-5.

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मेरी कलम 11:45  1 comment

टरमीटोमाईसिस

श्वेत मशरूम
टरमीटोमाईसिस
उगाने को,
दीमकों ने
बनाई थीं बांबियां
आम के बाग़ में,
उन्हीं बाँबियों की
एक कोठरी में
जमा थे कुछ शाख पत्ते
और एक जिन्न,
जब तड़के
बादल गरजते थे
तो खिल उठते थे
खिड़कियों से
लम्बी डंडियों वाले
श्वेत खुम्ब,
सुना है...........
जब से चोरी होने लगे हैं
टरमीटोमाईसिस
नाराज दीमकों ने
मशरूम उगाने
बंद कर दिए।।
                                     -- सिद्धांत
                                    मार्च 1 9 , 2 01 3

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मेरी कलम 10:17  No comment

Studies on minimizing quality and quantity losses in stale cane

The existing cane harvesting and supply management system in sub tropical cane growing belt is a serious impediment in obtaining higher sugar recovery. The time lag between harvesting to milling of cane generally ranges between 3-7 days which entails losses in recoverable sugar (Solomon et al., 2007). The sugarcane varieties although varies for such losses but altogether each and every variety loses its cane weight and sugar after harvesting (Siddhant et al., 2008). Studies have indicated decline in sucrose per cent in cane to the extent of 2.0 units within period of 72 hours of harvest, depending upon the sugarcane genotype and milling season (Solomon, 2000). Previously, Srivastava and co-workers (2006) have attempted to assess the quality and quantity losses in different genotypes under varied staling duration. The present communication highlights the strategies to minimizing the quality and quantity losses in three elite sugarcane varieties under sub-tropical condition.  
The experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Farm (U.P. Council of Sugarcane research) shahjahanpur in spring planting season in the year 2007-2008. Three elite sugarcane vareities, viz., CoSe 92423, CoS 8432 (Mid late maturing) and CoS8436 (Early maturing) were taken for the study. Two buds setts of each varieties were planted in Randomize Block Design (RBD) in three replicates. Nitrogen was given in the form of urea @ 150kg N/ha, half basal and rest half in two equal splits before onset of mansoon. The agronomical and irrigational practices were followed as per local recommendations. Sample were harvested in the month of march and April for experimental purposes. The physical and chemical methods were employed to minimize the cane weight and sugar losses from 0-120 hours after harvesting the canes. Physical methods include, cane under shade, water spray, cane with trash cover, cane with trash cover + water spray while chemical methods include solution of Mercuric Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Bifluoride, Zinc Sulphate and Sodium Azide (1% conc.).The chemicals were sprayed over freshly harvested canes and was kept for 0-120 hours for further studies. The physical method was also employed after harvesting of cane varieties. In each treatment of physical method, the cane weight loss and pol per cent cane were observed while in the treatment of chemical method only pol per cent cane was taken at from 0-120 hours at 24 hours intervals. The sugar analysis was done by following Meade and Chen (1977) method. The data were recorded in three replicates and were statistically analyzed. 
The physical method showed their effectiveness in minimizing sugar and cane weight losses in stale sugarcane being more in covering the harvested cane with the trash + water spray. In chemical method, Sodium Azide was found relatively more effective in minimizing sugar losses as compared to other chemicals. On the basis of results obtained it may be suggested to the farmers and sugar factories that if, there is a big time lag between kill to mill, the harvested cane should be sprayed with aqueous solution of Sodium azide and covered with trash to minimize quality and quantity losses. (See Original)  

References:
1) Meade GP and Chen JGP (1977): Cane Sugar Handbook. Edn 10. A Wiley Inter science Publication, john Wiley and Sons, New York.
2) Siddhant, Srivastava RP, Singh SB, Sharma ML (2008): assessment of sugar losses during staling in different varieties of sugarcane under subtropical condition. Sugar tech 10(4):350-354.
3) Solomon s (2000): Post harvest cane deterioration and its milling consequences. Sugar Tech 2(1&2): 1-18.
4) Solomon S, Srivastava AK, Yadav RL (2007): Strategies to minimizing post harvest sucrose losses in sugarcane. An overview Proc Annual Conv STAI 68:112-121.
5)Srivastava RP, Singh SP, lal K, Singh SB (2006): Cane staling losses- An emerging challenge to Indian sugar industry. All India seminar on efficient practices in sugarcane at U.P. Council of Sugarcane Research Shahjhanpur (U.P.). March 25, 2006. pp. 91-97. 

Cite this as: Srivastava, R.P., Siddhant and Sharma, M.L. (2009): Studies on minimizing quantity and quality losses in staled cane. Sugar Tech 11(2): 176-180. (PDF file)

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मेरी कलम 00:41  No comment