Impact of front line demonstration on the yield and economics of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella spp.) in Korba District of Chhattisgarh

Among the various mushrooms cultivated in India, paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella spp.) holds a good promise and its cultivation have been introduced as a cottage industry. It has several advantages like requirement of the tropical or sub-tropical climate, fast growth rate, easy cultivation technology and good acceptability at consumers’ level. The present study was carried out at KVK, Korba (Chhattisgarh) to know the yield of Volvariella spp. under Front Line Demonstration (FLD) and farmers practices (FP). Species namely Volvariella volvaceae was experimentally evaluated on treated organic waste paddy straw supplemented with chickpea flour. Yield of paddy straw mushroom on recommended practices resulted in significantly highest biological efficiency (12.10%) with yield (4 kg/ 5 kg dry straw substrate) faster spawn run as compared to farmers practice. The above findings reveal an opportunity for commercial implication of paddy straw mushroom especially for utilization of paddy waste and help them for generating extra income through paddy straw mushroom cultivation.