Detailed Explanation of the Key Techniques for Soil-Based Cultivation of Oyster Mushrooms

Soil-based cultivation of oyster mushrooms allows for the reasonable regulation of the carbon and nitrogen nutrients in the substrate, makes full use of natural conditions such as temperature, humidity, air and moisture, and creates a suitable growing climate for oyster mushrooms. Using this method can achieve a 100% survival rate of mushroom buds, thicker stipes, and more numerous, larger and thicker caps. The oyster mushrooms produced are of good quality, and the yield is 5 times that of conventional cultivation models. 8--10 flushes of mushrooms can be harvested continuously, with a yield of up to 5000 kg per 1/15 hectare (1 mu). This cultivation method is technically simple, uses widely available raw materials, and is economical and practical, making it very suitable for large-scale planting.

The scientific ingredient formula is 75 kg of cottonseed hulls, 15 kg of sawdust (hardwood sawdust) or corncobs (corncobs must be crushed), 5 kg of plant ash, 2 kg of high-quality sterile soil, and 125--135 kg of water.

Mycelium cultivation: After thoroughly mixing the above raw materials, conventional microporous cultivation bagging and inoculation can be carried out. Note that when filling the bags, use a small wooden stick to tamp the material firmly, inoculate at both ends and in the middle of the material, and tie the bag openings tightly. Place the filled bags in an outdoor location with good ventilation, dry conditions and no contamination for cultivation. Be sure to cover them for insulation, add plastic film on rainy days and remove it after the rain. Keep the temperature at around 20°C and turn the piles regularly for inspection (generally once a week). If the outdoor temperature is relatively low, they can also be cultivated indoors. The mycelial growth and contamination should be checked regularly, and bags contaminated by competing microorganisms should be removed promptly.

Mushroom column cultivation: After the mycelium has covered the bags, soil-based cultivation can begin. There are two cultivation methods, namely plastic greenhouse cultivation and three-dimensional mushroom house cultivation.

Plastic greenhouse bed cultivation: Move the well-cultivated bags into the plastic greenhouse, remove the plastic film, and place them upright in pre-made mushroom beds. The mushroom beds are generally 100 cm wide and 35 cm deep, with no limit on length. Leave a certain gap between the mushroom columns. Fill and pack the gaps between the columns with prepared nutrient soil. The mixing ratio of the nutrient soil is: 98% high-quality soil, 1% plant ash, 0.5% phosphate fertilizer, and 0.5% lime powder. After the nutrient soil is mixed evenly and packed firmly, water the soil thoroughly with clean water until the water no longer seeps down. Cover the exposed columns tightly again with soil, then water the filled area until soaked (known as light watering), and then sprinkle a thin layer of plant ash. After 24 hours, cover with fine soil to a depth of about 2 cm to prevent moisture loss.

Three-dimensional mushroom house cultivation: Move the well-cultivated bags into the mushroom house, remove the plastic film, and lay them horizontally on beds previously covered with nutrient soil (prepared by the same method as above). The width of the beds should be such that two mushroom columns can be placed with a certain gap left between them, with no limit on length. After filling one row, fill the gaps with nutrient soil, then place another layer on top in the same way, and add soil in the same way to a suitable height. Arrange another row in the same way, leaving a certain space in the middle as an access aisle, then water (same operation as above).

Fruiting management: During this period, the relative humidity of the air in the greenhouse should be maintained at around 85%, with relatively strong scattered light, and the temperature should be kept at 8--20°C. After 10 days, the mushroom buds will successively break through the soil, and at this time no spraying is needed. After the caps have formed, light watering can be done. The air in the greenhouse must be kept fresh to prevent deformed mushrooms. When the caps have grown to a diameter of about 5 cm, water heavily once. The management measures for three-dimensional mushroom house cultivation are basically the same as those for plastic greenhouse bed cultivation. Attention should be paid to controlling air humidity, temperature and the moisture of the nutrient soil. After harvesting one flush of mushrooms, water thoroughly after 3 days, then cover with soil again for management. In this way, with one batch of substrate, 8--10 harvests can be obtained.