{"id":267653,"date":"2025-06-01T20:47:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T20:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/agriculture\/methods-of-mushroom-project-substrate-sterilization\/"},"modified":"2025-06-01T20:47:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T20:47:49","slug":"methods-of-mushroom-project-substrate-sterilization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=267653","title":{"rendered":"Methods of Mushroom Project Substrate Sterilization"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This step is where we steam substrates in order to kill germs and any other fungi that may compete with our mushrooms for the nutrients and substrate. Therefore steaming your substrates before use if very neccessary. Below is a complete guide for your substrate sterilization.<\/p>\n

Mushroom Project Substrate Sterilization<\/strong><\/h2>\n

a) Weigh the substrate when still dry; spread it on a table or polythene sheet which is spread on the floor.
\u2013 Take the following and add to the substrate in the following ratios:
\u2013 1% of lime or gypsum of the dry weight of the substrate for control of Ph, aeration and acceleration of colonization of the substrate,
\u2013 5% supplement \u2013 cotton seed cake or sunflower seed cake or soy bean meal cake of dry substrate to improve the protein and mineral nutrients to the substrate.
\u2013 5% of molasses to improve the nutritional value of the substrate in terms of carbohydrates. Put water in a basin and mix all the above thoroughly to form a solution.<\/p>\n

b) Sprinkle the solution on the substrate and mix it thoroughly.
\u2013 Add in more clean water till the whole substrate is wet.
\u2013 Apply the squeeze test.
Only a few water drops should come out of substrate, and then know it\u2019s ready for use.
\u2013 Stack or pack the substrate in empty polythene -bags either black or clear and close the top tightly using a string \u2013 sisal twine or improvise.
\u2013 Put a wooden rack ,or bricks,stones etc with a height of around twenty 6 inches at the bottom of a drum,
\u2013 Fill water in the drum up to the height of the rack,
\u2013 Pack the filled bags inside the drum placing them on the rack. Avoid the tubes from touching the water for we need the substrate to sterilize by use of steam
\u2013 Tightly Close the drum using a lockable lid,or sack or anything and punch a small hole at the top to allow the excess steam to escape via it.<\/p>\n

c) Boil the substrate until you start seeing steam coming out of hole profusely
\u2013 Start counting around 40-45 or so minutes from the time you see the steam.
\u2013 Reduce the amount of heat being supplied to the drum for 15minutes.
\u2013 Let it cool before you remove the sterilized materials.<\/p>\n

\u274cCaution \u2013 Let the drum cool down completely before you open the lid to avoid being burned by the steam.<\/p>\n

Read Also: <\/strong>How to Construct a Mushroom Farming House<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

d) Remove them from the drum and let them cool down overnight. They should be stored in sterile environment to avoid contamination.
\u2013 The steam should atleast constantly take place for 4 good hours.<\/p>\n

\"Mushroom
A mushroom farm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

e) Spawning
Select your working area which should not have dark alleys that are good breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. The area should have controlled air\/current flow.
\u2013 Take the substrate, spread it on a sterilized table or polythene sheet by use of methylated spirit or surgical spirit or jik and inoculate it with the spawn.<\/p>\n

f) Spawn application should be 2 kgs of spawn to l5 kg of dry weight of substrate.
Thereafter, the inoculated substrate is then compacted in the polythene tube and close the top by use of a sisal string.
OR another way you can put a ring on the opening of the bag, cover with a soft paper like old news papers and tied around\u2026 likewise instead of paper u can use cotton.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Perforate holes round the tube. The holes should be 2 inches in diameter with a distance of 4 inches from one another.
\u2013 Make sure there are no air pockets in the poly bag.
\u2013 The stock them in a dark room for a period of 4-6weeks
\u2013 After 4-6weeks days, increase the humidity in the fruiting house by pouring clean water on the flour for it to start vaporizing to humidify the room.
\u2013 Do not spray water in the room for it will contaminate it. You can put water holding material lile charcoal dust, or put water jnto bansins etc.<\/p>\n