Shiitake mushroom production is among the best agriculture practices in Kenya and worldwide. However, you need to follow the right steps to enjoy the benefits of mushrooms.
Shiitake Production
After successfully establishing the production structure the next step is to start up the production part. This part involves;
- Spawn sourcing.
- Substrate selection and preparation.
- Incubation.
- Fruiting.
- Harvesting.
- Packaging and marketing.
- Spawn Sourcing.
Mushroom seeds are spawns when it comes to mushroom cultivation. Spawn with high vigor, free from contaminants, and certified by mushroom regulatory bodies are essential for propagation. Don’t use spawn from overgrown mushrooms as they lack vigor which may compromise production. JKUAT is among the known producers of good-quality mushroom spawns.
- Substrate Selection and Preparation.
Shiitake production takes place on logs like (mango, oak, or, maple logs), or a recipe of the substrate can be mixed to favor their production.
More than 150 byproducts of agricultural waste have been reported to cultivate mushrooms. By-products like sawdust, wheat straws, corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse, coffee pulp, banana leaves, coconut husks, and many others can be used for mushroom production. The byproducts have lignin, are rich in carbon and cellulose, and hemicellulose which the mushroom feeds on as they decompose. One should consider what is locally available to save on the cost of production.
- Shiitake Substrate Preparation.
The technology used for this guide is for short team production of shiitake using poly bags unlike for the one that uses logs for longer production.
Materials required are;
- Sawdust.
- Wheat bran.
- Gypsum.
- Calcium carbonate.
- Water.
- Metallic drums.
- Heat source.
- Standard poly bags.
Procedure to follow;
Sawdust from broad-leafed trees is soaked overnight to moisten and should attain a 65% moisture content. Pour out the soaked sawdust on a clean flat surface to drain off the excess water. The squeeze method should determine the water level in the substrate. 2-3 drop indicates enough wetness of the sawdust. More drops than that should not drain.
Enrich the sawdust by adding 20% of wheat bran and mixing it thoroughly and uniformly. You should use your hands for effectiveness.
Later, mix gypsum and lime into the sawdust and wheat mixture. You should know that gypsum supplements calcium in the form of calcium carbonate and sulfur which are essential during fruiting.
Lime, on the other hand, acts as a PH buffer, making the substrate fairly neutral which suits most varieties. Note that not all kinds of lime help to buffer PH; calcium carbonate is essential for this purpose. Add gypsum and lime at a ratio of 1% and 1% respectively.
The above procedure should take place at an open place or where enough air circulation is enough to discourage contamination. Mechanized substrate mixtures help in commercial mushroom cultivation.
Bagging
Bagging the substrate is the next step. However, you can use the standard poly bags approved by the authorities for this purpose. Scoop and fill the bags with the prepared substrate and cover them for sterilization.
Sterilization
Sterilization is the process of killing any form of living microorganism by exposing it to extreme temperatures. Steam sterilization is the common form of sterilization during substrate preparation. Bags at the base of the metallic drums that contain water are arranged up to the top and covered. The drums are heated to boiling at a temperature of 206-210 degrees producing steam that sterilizes the bags.
The substrate is left to cool down before inoculation begins.
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