DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

GOVERNMENT FIRST GRADE COLLEGE, TUMAKURU

BEST PRACTISES

1. MUSHROOM CULTIVATION

OBJECTIVES

To provide hand to hand experience in cultivation and harvesting of mushroom, To provide the

knowledge of mushroom cultivation, To economically uplift the poor students to get financial

earning without or meager investment and labor work by effective mushroom cultivation, To assist

the students to use their free time productively and positively, To encourage about mushroom

cultivation in a commercial scale in less place, To uplift the social level of an individual with

mushroom cultivation technology.

THE CONTEXT

We planned to bring methodology of mushroom cultivation to the student’s platform, in order to

educated and provide the hand-to-hand experience in mushroom cultivation. The mushroom

cultivation in the lab not only provide the knowledge to the students but also provide enough

information to grow in their area to improve their economy.

THE PRACTICE

Mushrooms are a type of fungi, which are consumed as food. Mushroom consumption and

cultivation are old practices started some thousands of years ago. 20 different species of

mushrooms are commercially cultivated around the world. Mushrooms have gained recognition in

the food chain because they contribute nutrient supplements to the food and have high medicinal

and pharmaceutical value. The white button mushroom is a commercially cultivated variety

throughout the world contributing to 40% of the total mushroom production market. Valley regions

are suitable for button mushroom cultivation and the materials required are easily available in the

local market.

The cultivation of mushroom on a commercial scale requires both indoor and outdoor

preparations. Outdoor preparations include wetting of the substrate and compost preparation.

Generally, the spawn-run and crop production are done in the valley areas from mid-February to

mid-May and from September to November by maintaining a temperature range of 22-25˚C for

the first 15 days of the cycle. Generally, locally made stoves used to maintain the temperature by

heating sawdust/paddy straw. The compost preparation for the first crop should begin in the first

week of January and the second crop at the end of July. The conditions required for mushroom

farming are; 22-25˚C temperature for spawn-run and 14-18˚C temperature range for crop

production; humidity level of 85-90% with a saturated atmosphere with moisture is ideal for its

growth; Water should not be applied to the compost directly. The rooms that are used for spawn-

run should have proper ventilation. The CO₂ levels in the room should be below 0.15% and this

is maintained by providing 10 cubic ft fresh air per sq ft or by providing 4 to 6 air charges per

hour. There should not be sudden temperature fluctuation in the rooms.

EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS

It is hardly possible to quantify every quality in this world. Likewise, there is no quantitative tool

available to measure the success of this practice. But there are many positive outcomes from the

mushroom cultivation practice. The attitudinal change that has taken place in students ‘mindset

by this practice is commendable. Most of the students coming from poor families, who initially

show some hesitation, have enjoyed the positive effects of the practice later. The mushroom

cultivation practice teaches the students the self-reliance and the importance of financial status.

The practice also saves the wastage of money by less affordable raw material. This gives the

students a satisfaction of new hand to hand practical knowledge which provide them confidence

of earning. Over and above, many of the students have expressed their happiness during the

cultivation program and promised to do it to balance the finance and allied responsibilities at home.

Preparation of fungal substrate and Inoculation of Mushroom spawn

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND RESOURCES REQUIRED

There are no noticeable problems associated with this practice except predatory fungal infection.

Even though a very small percentage of students hesitate to be a part of this practice initially, they

have accepted it and realized the usefulness of the mushroom cultivation. No extra or special

resources are required for this practice.

Inoculation of Mushroom spawn and Incubation in culture room

2. AZOLLA CULTIVATION

OBJECTIVES

To provide hand to hand experience in Azolla cultivation. To provide the knowledge of Azolla

cultivation. To provide information about the use of Azolla as cattle fodder and biofertilizer. To

assist the students to use their free time productively and positively. To encourage about Azolla

cultivation in a commercial scale in less place. To enrich the fertility of soil and nutritional need

of livestock especially cattle by Azolla cultivation technology. To Control weed in paddy field.

To control mosquito grow in stationary water or in paddy field.

THE CONTEXT

We planned to bring methodology of Azolla cultivation to the student’s platform, in order to

educated and provide the hand-to-hand experience in azolla cultivation. The azolla cultivation in

the college surroundings not only provide the knowledge to the students but also provide enough

information to their family to grow in their area to improve the quality of soil and provide nutritious

fodder for cattle.

THE PRACTICE

In recent years the use of biofertilizers is gaining importance. Azolla is a genus of water fern that

assimilates nitrogen is association with a nitrogen-fixing- blue green algae anabaena azolla that

lives symbiotically in the cavities of the upper leaf lobes of Azolla. Azolla growing is labor-free

cultivation suitable for adoption in location where formers cultivating rice. Create an artificial

pond for growing Azolla. For creating Azolla cultivation pond, selected partially shaded area

because Azolla needs 30% sunlight too much sunlight will destroy the plant. The area under the

tree is preferable. Dig out the soil at least 20 cm deep for placing the cement pond and level the

soil after that spread the plastic sheet around the ground to prevent water loss upon that the cement

pond was placed. Azolla needs Phosphorus to grow well hence we used super Phosphate along

with mixture made of cow dung, soil and water was added and filled the pond with water to a level

of about 10 cm this will allow the short route of the Azolla Plant to float freely then left the pond

for 2 to 3 days to settle the ingredients. After 2-3 days Azolla culture was added in the pond by

gently rubbing Azolla in hands. It helps break Azolla into smaller pieces for faster multiplication.

Replaced the pond mixture with fresh cow dung, super Phosphate and soil mixture along with

water once in seven days

EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS

There are many positive outcomes from the Azolla cultivation. Most of the students coming from

poor families, have enjoyed the positive effects of the Azolla cultivation in their paddy fields. The

Azolla cultivation practice teaches the students additional benefit as an alternative for biofertilizer,

cattle fodder and mosquito controller. The practice also saves the wastage of money for fertilizers,

cattle fodders and mosquito repellent. This gives the students a satisfaction of new hand to hand

practical knowledge which provide them information of simple plant with multiple benefits. Over

and above, many of the students have expressed their happiness during the Azolla cultivation

program and promised to do it in their rice fields.

Students and staff digging the ground for placing the

cement pond Cement pond filled with clean water

Soil, Fresh cow dung in 1:1 ratio Mixing the soil and cow dung

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND RESOURCES REQUIRED

There are no noticeable problems associated with this practice except finding of raw materials and

the inoculum. Even though a very small percentage of students hesitate to be a part of this practice

initially, they have accepted it and realized the usefulness of the Azolla cultivation. No extra or

expensive resources are required for this practice.

Inoculation and subsequent growth of Azolla