The harsh monsoon may not be favorable for organic vegetable farming in the state. So, it is vital to look for alternate methods to ensure food production. Instead of growing your regular vegetable patch, you could try cultivating mushrooms during the forthcoming monsoon season. One of the most amazing things about mushroom farming is that it could be done without much labor or hard work.
Usually, hay and saw dust is used as a medium for growing mushroom. However, hay that is not too old and has pleasant golden hue would be preferable. The mushroom bed should be prepared after disinfecting the hay. Steaming and boiling are the most common methods of disinfecting hay. Besides, the hay could be disinfected by soaking it in a solution made by mixing carbendazim (7.5 gms) and formalin (50 ml) in 100 liters water. The hay should be soaked in this solution for at least 18 hours. Drain them by spreading the hay on a clean flat surface. However, the hay should not be completely dry.
The disinfected hay should be packed in polythene bags that are 60 centimeters long and 30 centimeters wide. These bags should have a thickness of 150 gauges as well. A layer of hay in 10 centimeters thickness should be spread and the mushroom seeds could be sowed in the edges. Four such layers could be arranged in a single polythene bag. Seeds should be sowed on top of the final layer before closing the bag and sealing it tightly.
Using a disinfected pin, put lots of small perforations all over the polythene bag. These beds should be stored in dark rooms or spaces. You could spot the mushroom growth 14 days after preparing the beds. When the mushroom growth is spotted, score the polythene bags using a blade. This helps in the excellent growth of mushrooms in the bed.
Watch the video prepared by the Kerala Agricultural University about mushroom farming in beds.
