Studies on Spawn Qualities and Management of Diseases of Milky Mushroom (Calocybe Indica)

Abstract

Thesis Title: "Studies on spawn qualities and management of diseases of milky mushroom (Calocybe indica)." Milky mushroom (Calocybe indica), one of the most important mushroom commonly called as "Kuduk" or "Dudhi chhata" or "Milky" or "white summer mushroom". It was first reported from India by Purkayastha and Chandra in 1974. Five strains of Ca/ocybe indica viz., APK-2, Cl-6, Cl-8, Cl-9 and Cl-10 were observed for variability in terms of colony characters, cultural characters, yield performance and disease management. Fluffy growth appeared in the colony of strain APK-2, Cl-9, Cl-10 and Cl-6 showed cottony growth. The circular colonies and even type of margin were noticed with white to creamy white colour. The average pileus breadth, stipe length, pileus weight and stipe weight were observed maximum in APK-2 followed by Cl-6. At 30°C temperature and 8.0 pH strain APK-2 showed maximum radial growth in PDA followed by MEA while dry matter weight was maximum in MEA followed by PDA medium. APK-2 & Cl-6 both observed maximum mycelial growth in magnesium sulphate and 15 ppm concentration of GA and IAA containing medium. For spawn preparation CaC03 & CaS04 in 1 :4 ratio and Oat grain was most suitable. In case of APK-2 and Cl-6, bajra grain takes minimum time for spawn run while maximum yield obtained with wheat grains. Maximum yield obtained at 6% spawn rate on wet weight basis in both strain APK-2 and Cl-6. Fresh spawn performed good result and storage of spawn for long time reduces the yield performance. Generally it is suitable for one month. Bed height of 30 em produce maximum yield but the biological efficiency was found maximum in 20 em bed height. In strain APK-2 & Cl-6, the two growth regulators i.e. GA & IAA gives maximum yield at 20 ppm concentration while in case of chemicals magnesium sulphate performed better than other chemicals. In different ratio of casing mixture it is observed that FYM+ GS+ VC+ SAND in 2:1:1:1 ratio shows maximum yield in strain APK-2 while FYM+ GS+ VC+ SAND in 1 :2:1:1 ratio shows maximum yield. Maximum yield was recorded in casing thickness 1.25 cm/500gm from strains APK-2 and Cl-6. During the research experiment from 2008-2011 different diseases like green mould caused by Trichoderma harzianum, cob-web disease caused by Dactylium dendroides and browning of pinhead were reported and were managed by chemical treatment. It was found that two spray of carbendazim at 0.01 per cent concentration was most suitable for disease management and there were no loss of yield i.e. maximum yield was recorded.