After interacting with a mushroom-growing entrepreneur, I learnt the following steps for cultivating mushrooms:

Steps for Mushroom Cultivation:

1. Selection of Mushroom Type
   • Common types include Oyster, Button, and Milky mushrooms. Each requires different conditions.
2. Preparation of Substrate
   • Substrate is the material used for growing mushrooms, such as paddy straw, sawdust, or compost.
   • The substrate is cut into pieces and soaked in water for several hours.
3. Pasteurisation
   • The wet substrate is steamed or heated to kill unwanted microbes. This prevents contamination.
4. Spawning
   • Mushroom spawn (seed) is mixed with the cooled substrate evenly.
5. Bag Filling and Incubation
   • The substrate with spawn is filled into poly bags or trays, with small holes for air.
   • Bags are kept in a dark, warm, and humid room (around 25–28°C) for 15–20 days until white fungal threads (mycelium) spread.
6. Fruiting Stage
   • After incubation, bags are opened and moved to a cooler, lighted space with good air circulation and high humidity.
   • Mushrooms start forming within 1–2 weeks.
7. Harvesting
   • Mushrooms are ready to be harvested when the cap opens fully. They are carefully twisted and plucked by hand.
8. Packaging and Selling
   • Fresh mushrooms are cleaned, packed in plastic trays or pouches, and sold in the market. Some are dried for storage.

🌱 Key Requirements:

• Clean environment
• Proper humidity and ventilation
• Temperature control
• Fresh, sterilised substrate
• Hygiene to prevent contamination

For more NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Curiosity Chapter 2 The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye Extra Questions & Answer:

https://www.tiwariacademy.com/ncert-solutions/class-8/science/