Innovative Approach in Preparing Volvariella Seedlings

Mushroom cultivation requires good, reliable and low cost seedlings. Selected mushroom strain is an important key in preparing the seedlings. In cultivating Volvariella mushroom, there are three types of seedlings known as mother culture, grain seedlings and substrate seedlings. In this paper, preparation of each type of seedling will be discussed. The first step in preparing the seedling is a selected strain for mother culture. Tissues from selected fruit body were first isolated to initiate and propagate mycelium via in vitro culture on semi solid potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. This media was prepared earlier, autoclaved at 121 degree Celsius, 1.05 psi for 20 mins and kept in a dark room. The tissue was excised innovatively as wedge shape, approximate 0.5 cm². The shape created an easy way to culture and reduces contamination. Propagation was made via in vitro culture continuously to get satisfied numbers of culture. Second, Grain Seedling was prepared by soaking dried corn seeds in clean water for 3h, tossed, mixed with 1 % lime to increase pH level up to pH 8 and pack in plastic bag at 150 g followed by autoclaved at 121 degree Celsius, 1.05 psi for 10 mins. Third, Substrate Seedling mixture was made mainly by dried paddy straw derived from agriculture waste. The paddy straw was soaked in water for 3h and excessive water was removed prior to mix with 10 % lime and kapok. The substrate seedling were pack in 200 g polypropylene beg prior to continuously steam for 4 hours at 90 degree Celsius. Steamed substrate seedling were then inoculated and incubated at 27 degree Celsius for 2 weeks under dark condition and ready to be used in field within two weeks. (author)