Impact of different spawn substrates on production of Button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange), Sing]

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the best substrate for Agaricus bisporus spawn production and cultivated on the compost in Bihar, India. The cereal grains of Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Maize (Zea mays) and Paddy (Oriza sativa) were evaluated as spawn substrate. Agaricus bisporus was incubated at 24±1°C for spawn development. Observations were recorded for number of days taken for spawn development. Spawn raised on different grains was also used for cultivation on compost to assess the period of spawn run, number of days taken for pinhead initiations and weight of fruiting body. The shortest period for spawn development (11.6 days) was obtained with wheat grains indicating its suitability for efficient spawn production. The different grains also influenced the duration of spawn run, pin-head formation. Highest yield of Agaricus bisporus was recorded on wheat grain spawn and it was followed by maize spawn.