High-yield cultivation of Pleurotus citrinum covered with soil

Agrocybe citrinum, also known as Pleurotus eryngii, Jade Emperor Mushroom, and Golden Top Mushroom, is a wood-decomposing edible fungus . It has a strong aroma, crisp taste and rich nutrition. It is known as the "noble among mushrooms" and has broad prospects for cultivation. So what are the key points to pay attention to in the high-yield cultivation of Pleurotus citrinopileatus by covering the soil? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Culture medium formula

The culture medium should be prepared using fresh, mold-free materials and in accordance with the recipe requirements.

The generally recommended formula is 78% sawdust, 20% bran, 1% gypsum , and 1% lime , and it can be fine-tuned based on actual conditions.

2. Bag sterilization

Generally, (43-45) cm × (22-25) cm × 0.025 cm high-density low-pressure polyethylene plastic tube bags are selected. Put the prepared culture medium bag into a pressure cooker and sterilize at 120℃ for 2 hours. When sterilizing, ensure that the temperature and time meet the requirements to completely kill the bacteria and pests in the culture medium.

3. Inoculation and culture

Move the sterilized material bags into the inoculation room, which should be dry and clean with windows closed. Before inoculation, spray 10% lime water indoors to purify the air, and inoculation can be done about 15 minutes later. When inoculating, choose a strong vigorous Pleurotus citrinopileatus strain and spread it evenly on the surface of the culture medium.

4. Key points of soil covering

Choose materials with good water retention and strong air permeability as the covering soil layer, such as garden soil, rice husk ash, humus soil, etc., which need to be sieved to remove impurities and sterilized. Sprinkle the spawn of Pleurotus citrinopileatus evenly on the prepared soil surface, and then lightly cover it with humus to a thickness of about 1-2 cm.

5. Bacteria management

The management of spawning is similar to that of oyster mushrooms , with the emphasis on light avoidance, temperature control and ventilation. In low temperature seasons, measures such as cooling and ventilation should be taken to minimize the stimulation of external conditions on the mycelium so that it can focus on nutritional growth. Generally speaking, the fungi will germinate after a ripening period of about 15 days.

6. Mushroom production management

After the mycelium fills the bag, maintain it for another 3-7 days before you can start mushroom production management. In production, mushroom wall management is often used, and the stacking method of the mushroom wall is the same as that of the oyster mushroom.

7. Harvest at the right time

The harvesting time of Pleurotus citrinopileatus is usually when the edge of the fruiting body cap is flat to the maximum or slightly wavy. Stop spraying water one day before harvesting. When harvesting, press the material surface with one hand and twist off the fruiting body with the other hand, or cut off the fruiting body at the base of the stipe with a knife.

The above is an introduction to the key technical points regarding the high-yield cultivation of Pleurotus citrinopileatus by covering the soil. Through meticulous management and optimization of cultivation techniques , the yield and quality of Pleurotus citrinopileatus can be significantly improved.