This mushroom has gained importance only in the last decade and other species available for cultivation are: P.sajor-caju, P.florida, P.sapidus, P.eryngii, P.eryngii, P.columbinus, P.cornucopiae, P.flabellatus. P.platypus, P.opuntiae, P.citrinopileatus, and P.coticatus.

It is now being cultivated in many countries in the subtropical and temperate zones. In China, it is known as abalone mushroom (P.abalonus or P.cystidiosus).

Method of cultivation

Pleurotus spp. can be grown o various agricultural waste materials. The different species of Pleurotus grow within a temperature range 15 to 30⁰ C. P.sajor-caju can tolerate temperature up to 30⁰ C although it fruits faster and produces larger mushroom at 25⁰ C. P.ostreatus is the so-called low temperature Pleurotus, fruiting mostly at 12-20⁰C. While fruiting requires a temperature range of 20-28⁰ C, ventilation, light moisture and humidity range of 80-95%.

Pasteurization

Substrates that are sterilized are easily contaminated unless spawned under very aseptic conditions. Therefore steaming at 100⁰ C (pasteurization) is more acceptable steamer.

Compost preparation

The tropical wastes like rice straw, wheat straw, corncobs, dried water hyacinth, sugarcane bagasse, banana leaves, cotton waste or sawdust ae used for cultivation. The materials are usually composted for 6-30 days before use, depending on the substrate. Rice bran (20%) and lime (1%) supplements are added after composting. Sawdust is a popular substrate used on commercial farms. Any hardwood or softwood sawdust may be used. Composting is usually needed for freshly cut sawdust. To compost sawdust (long composting), it is combined with 1% urea and 1% lime. The mixture is made thoroughly wet, using a water hose; it is then piled into a heap not higher than 1.5m. Plastic sheets may or may not be used to cover the heap, depending on the bulk. During fermentation, the heap is turned every 7 days over the entire 30 to 40 day period. At the end of the period, the sawdust mixture will soften without producing any unpleasant smell. If the compost is not to be used immediately, it is dried before storage.

Spawning

The process of spawn making is the same as for Agaricus species. Pleurotus spawn should be about 15 days old when mycelium has formed complete coating around the grain. The normal rate of spawning in a pasteurized substrate is 1.5-2.0% of the wet substrate, however, it is slightly higher (2.0-2.5%) in unpasteurized material. The spawning is usually done in layer. The spawn is mixed after each layer of 3-4 cm thickness of straw. Before filling the substrate in polythene sacks, holes of about 1 cm diameter are made at 10-15 cm distance all over the surface for free diffusion of gases and heat generated inside. A wet newspaper piece may be placed at the top of each spawned bag or at best the mouth is turned to one side and left as such. In no case the mouth of the bag should be tied. Grain or sawdust spawn is commonly used to inoculate the substrate in bags.

Crop management after spawning

The optimum temperature for growth of Pleurotus spp. is 23 + - 2⁰ C. Relative humidity in growing room should range from 85-90% during spawn-run.

Harvesting

Usually 3 to 4 days after opening the bags, mushroom primordia begin to form. Mature mushrooms become ready for harvesting in another 2 to 3 days. An average biological efficiency (fresh weight of mushrooms harvested divided by air-dry substrate weight x 100) can range between 80 to 150% and sometimes even more. To harvest the mushrooms, they are grasped by the stalk and gently twisted and pulled. A knife should not be used. The mushrooms remain fresh for up to 3 to 6 days in a refrigerator/cool place.