In order to achieve a successful result in oyster mushroom cultivation, the production of a quality compost (substrate) is very important. Oyster mushrooms grow on lignocellulosic materials, so the base material of compost usually consists of organic matter such as straw, sawdust or cotton residues. The purpose of compost is to provide a suitable nutrient medium for the growth of the mushroom mycelium.

Compost Production Stages for Oyster Mushrooms:

1. Selection of Raw Materials

Oyster mushrooms are usually grown on compost produced from the following raw materials:

Wheat or barley straw: The most commonly used material.
Cotton residues: Thanks to its fibrous structure, it forms a good compost.
Sawdust: Hard wood shavings are suitable for good growth of the fungus.
Corn stalks Can be used as an alternative.
Coffee waste: Widely used in mushroom cultivation as a recyclable material.

2. Preparation of Raw Materials

Straw or other organic material should be cut into small pieces (about 3-5 cm in size).
The materials should be moistened by soaking in water and thoroughly soaked. The moisture content of the compost should be 65-75%. It is important to drain off excess water, because excess water can inhibit the growth of the fungus.

3. Pasteurization or Sterilization

Oyster mushroom compost should be pasteurized or sterilized to kill harmful bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms:

Pasteurization: This is usually done using hot water or steam. The compost is heated between 60-70°C for 6-8 hours. This ensures that harmful pathogens die.
Sterilization: Sterilization is not required for small-scale production, but for full sterilization it may be necessary to steam sterilize at 120°C for about 1-2 hours. This method is particularly important for successful colonization of fungal spores.

4. Preparation for Cooling and Grafting

The compost should be cooled after the pasteurization or sterilization process is completed. When the temperature drops to 25-30°C, fungal mycelium can be inoculated. If mycelium is added when the compost is too hot, the fungal spores may be damaged.

5. Micelle Inoculation

After the compost has cooled, oyster mushroom mycelium (seed) is added to the compost. The mycelium is usually on a grain-based carrier. The mycelium should be evenly distributed throughout the compost.
After inoculation, the compost is usually filled into plastic bags or blocks to start the mushroom growth process.

6. Incubation of Compost

After inoculation, the compost is kept in a dark environment for about 2-3 weeks to allow the fungal mycelium to colonize the compost. During this period, the temperature should be kept between 20-24°C and high humidity should be maintained (90-95%). Once the mycelium has fully colonized the compost, it is moved to tunnel systems or production rooms.

7. Mushroom Production Phase

The colonized compost is kept in production chambers with appropriate temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions. Mushrooms usually start to form within the first 7-10 days and reach harvestable size within 2-3 weeks.

Tips for Improving the Quality of Compost:

pH Adjustment: The pH level of compost for oyster mushroom cultivation should generally be between 6-7. Substances such as lime or gypsum can be used to balance the pH.
Nutrient Supplementation: Organic materials such as cottonseed meal, soybean meal can be added to increase the nutritional value of the compost.
Hygiene Hygienic conditions should be maintained throughout the entire process and appropriate sterilization methods should be used to prevent contamination.

By following these processes correctly, a compost suitable for growing high quality and productive oyster mushrooms can be prepared.