Background: Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) commonly known as the straw mushroom, in India, commonly referred to as &ldquo;Pual mushrooms&rdquo;, &ldquo;Pala chhatu&rdquo; in odia belongs to Phyllum-Basidiomycota, Class-Basidiomycetes, Order-Agaricales, Family-Pluteaceae and Genus Volvariella. The yield and flavor of the mushroom depends on several parameters including the mycelial density and growth. More vigorous is the mycelial growth, more will be the production. Hence to increase the mycelial run following treatments have been evaluated. 
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Methods: Fourteen different synthetic and semi-synthetic media were evaluated against mycelial growth of V.volvacea. Eight different pH levels and six different temperatures were tested against the test fungus along with different carbon and nitrogen sources. 
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Result: Out of the 14 media, Potato Dextrose Agar (90 mm), Yeast extract agar (90 mm) and oat meal agar (90 mm) were found suitable as they produce dense mycelium and cover the whole petriplate on 7th day of inoculation. From the various liquid media studied, it has been found that dense mycelium was obtained on Malt extract agar medium (449.25 mg). Maximum radial growth of the fungus was achieved at pH 7 and at 35oC temp (90 mm). Maltose, starch and sucrose recorded as best carbon sources for V. volvacea growth on solid base medium with an average diameter growth of 90mm and sucrose proved to produce dense mycelium on liquid media. Peptone was found to be best nitrogen source as it gives highest radial growth of the test fungus with an average diameter of 90 mm and also produced dense mycelial mat of the test fungus (400 mg).

Efficacy of Different Cultural Parameters and Physical Factors on Mycelial Growth of Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella volvacea)

<div>Background: Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) commonly known as the straw mushroom, in India, commonly referred to as &ldquo;Pual mushrooms&rdquo;, &ldquo;Pala chhatu&rdquo; in odia belongs to Phylum-Basidiomycota, Class-Basidiomycetes, Order-Agaricales, Family-Pluteaceae and Genus Volvariella. It is being the third most important cultivated mushroom in the world is well known for its pleasant flavour and taste.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An experiment was conducted to evaluate paddy straw and other locally available substrates for production of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) in Odisha under semi-compost method. Substrates viz. Paddy straw (crumpled and uncrumpled), Paddy straw+ Banana leaves (3:1, w/w), Paddy straw+ Cotton waste (3:1, w/w), Paddy straw+ Water hyacinth (3:1, w/w), Paddy straw + Banana leaves +Water hyacinth (2:1:1, w/w) were partially decomposed and evaluated against traditional undecomposed method of cultivation. 
 
Result: Paddy straw (uncrumpled / hand threshed / bundled), when semi-composted, sustained significantly higher mushroom yield (15.63% BE) as compared to the yield (11.50% BE) obtained from its un-decomposed state in traditional method of cultivation. When other wastes such as cotton waste, banana leaves and water hyacinth were mixed with un-crumpled straw, the biological efficiency increased further (16.06 -19.29% BE). Paddy straw mixed with cotton waste (3:1, w/w) sustained the highest yield potential (19.29% BE). It was also recorded that semi composted crumpled/ cattle threshed paddy straw (12.0% BE) was statistically at par with the non-composted uncrupmled/ hand threshed paddy straw (11.50% BE) in supporting the mushroom yield.</div>

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Enhancing the Biological Efficiency of Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) using Semi-composting Method of Cultivation in Odisha

Background: Paddy straw mushroom is widely cultivated in Odisha for their unique aroma, texture and growth habit. Bacterial diseases contributed to low production and storability of Volvariella sp. So the present study was carried out to identify the pathogen and undertake suitable measures. 
 
Methods: A study was undertaken on the bacterial disease of Volvariella sp. incited by bacterium. Different types of symptoms associated with marketable mushroom buds of Volvariella sp. leading to rotting of the buds within 24-48 hours of harvest were recorded. Fourteen plant extracts and twelve antibiotics were tested against the bacterium infecting Volvariella sp.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Serratia marcescens found to be first report causing bacterial rot. Among the plant extracts evaluated, Trigonella foenum and Aloe barbadensis were found to be most effective in inhibiting the growth of bacterium with a 15 mm zone of inhibition in each case. Among the 12 antibiotics tested, Ciprofloxacin and cefaclor inhibited the growth of the bacterium with 50.3 mm and 65.6 mm zone of inhibition, respectively. Rest of the antibiotics differed in their action against the bacterial pathogen.

Efficacy of Different Cultural Parameters and Physical Factors on Mycelial Growth of Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella volvacea)

Enhancing the Biological Efficiency of Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) using Semi-composting Method of Cultivation in Odisha

Bacterial Rot of Paddy Straw Mushroom and its Management