News
Empowering Students with Oyster Mushroom Cultivation: A Workshop cum Training Programme
24 Mar 2023
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries recently organized a workshop cum training programme from March 1st to March 23rd, 2023. The focus of the event was Oyster Mushroom Cultivation, and it witnessed the enthusiastic participation of B.Sc. Agriculture students. The workshop was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Sandeep Kumar, who served as the coordinator, while Dr. Aneeta Yadav (Dean, FASAI) acted as the convener. Dr. Kartikay Bisen (HOD, FASAI) was also present along with the B.Sc. Agriculture students.
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) belong to Class Basidiomycetes and Family Agaricaceae. The species is known as ‘dhingri’ in India and is found growing naturally in temperate and tropical forests on dead and decaying wooden logs, as well as on dying trunks of deciduous or coniferous woods. The fruit bodies of this mushroom have a distinct shell or spatula shape, with varying shades of white, cream, grey, yellow, pink, or light brown depending on the species. Oyster mushrooms are known to contain folic acid, which can help in curing anemia. Due to their low sodium: potassium ratio, starch, fat, and calorific value, they are suitable for people with hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Additionally, their alkaline ash and high fiber content make them suitable for consumption by those who have hyperacidity and constipation.
The Mushroom unit/centre is committed to spreading knowledge and encouraging entrepreneurship among students. In this workshop, the students learned about the cultivation of edible fungi. The programme commenced on March 1st and witnessed its first harvest on March 23rd, 2023. The B.Sc. Agriculture students actively participated in the venture, learning the preparation of wheat straw and its sterilization through the short method, as well as the cultivation of the mushrooms. They were also guided to prepare the spawn in labs, and the prepared spawn and wheat straw bags were stored in the mushroom cultivation room. The first harvesting was done on March 23rd, 2023, with the potential for additional harvests over the next five days. Overall, it was a positive and educational experience for both the learners and the faculty members involved.
The Oyster Mushroom Workshop cum Training Programme details are as follows:
- Scientific Name: Pleurotusflorida
- Wheat straw sterilization date: March 1st, 2023
- Spawning date: March 2nd, 2023
- Number of bags: 12
- Wheat straw/bags: 3-4 kg.
- Mycelium growth/run date: March 6th, 2023
- Fruiting date: March 18th, 2023