Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum was cultivated for the first time in Haryana after standardizing the different parameters required for its seasonal cultivation. Wheat straw+saw dust (1: 1) supplemented with wheat bran @ 20% was most suitable substrate. Time required for its mycelial growth and complete colonization was least (8.8 days), when a combination of wheat straw+saw dust (1: 1) supplemented with wheat bran @ 20% was used. Out of the four base materials (wheat grain, sorghum grain, bajra grain and saw dust) evaluated for spawn production, wheat grain was the most suited as it was completely colonized within 12 days after inoculation. Studies were carried on cultivation of G. lucidum during 2013 and 2014. A mixture of wheat straw+saw dust (1: 1), having wheat bran as supplement and amended with calcium sulphate (3%) and calcium carbonate (1%), was filled in polypropylene bags, plugged, sterilized and inoculated with wheat grains based spawn @ 3%. The bags were placed in mushroom house at 30±1°C, high CO2 and 90±1% relative humidity. These conditions were optimum in terms of spawn run and pinhead formation, while the conc. of CO2 was lowered during the fruiting phase of G. lucidum. The cultivation was done under natural conditions for two consecutive years and during both the years two flushes were obtained in 90 days crop cycle, with 27.52% biological efficiency.