PADDY STRAW MUSHROOM (Volvariella spp.): A NATURAL SCAVENGERS WHO HELP IN MALNUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

KAUSHIK SINGH¹, IPSITA DEY², SHRVAN KUMAR³*
¹RGSC, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, 231001, Uttar Pradesh, India
²RGSC, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, 231001, Uttar Pradesh, India
³RGSC, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, 231001, Uttar Pradesh, India
* Corresponding Author : shrvank@gmail.com

Received : 28-04-2018     Accepted : 15-05-2018     Published : 30-05-2018
Volume : 10     Issue : 5       Pages : 1183 - 1185
Int J Microbiol Res 10.5 (2018):1183-1185
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.9735/0975-5276.10.5.1183-1185

Keywords : Oryza sativa, Ergo-sterol, Volvariella volvacea, V. esculenta and V. diplasia
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Author are thankful to Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
Author Contribution : All author equally contributed

Rice, Oryza sativa L. (2n=24=AA) is the principal food crop to people in India. India occupies a pride place in rice production among the food crops cultivated in the world. In India, rice is being grown in 45.10 Mha area with production of 111.01 MMT and productivity of 3.52 MT/ha, respectively in 2017–18. This rice is produce 1.5 times paddy straw in nature. It is containing hemicellulose (26 to 35%), cellulose (38 to 41%), lignin (12-16%), water soluble polysaccharides (8%), 15 – 20% of ash and 9 – 14% of silica, which is recalcitrant for degradation. In flooded rice field is a major substrate for the production of methane that is responsible for a greenhouse gas effect. Wetland rice fields annually release about 60 to 100 MMT of CH4 and thus contribute substantially to the global warming of the atmosphere. Methane emission from rice fields starts after the flooding of the fields and stops when the fields are drained for harvest. Rates of CH4 production were higher in incubations with straw from the stems >leaf blades> leaf sheaths >unamended soil. In many countries, massive amounts of the post-harvest rice residues are eliminated through burning, which represents a threat to public health and poses an environmental pollution problem. Alternatives to burning include potential feedstock to produce biofuels, bio-fertilizers, animal feed, bio-based industry chemicals, cheap substrate for fermentation of enzymes, biogases, mushroom cultivation and bio-compost. As early as in 1822, paddy straw mushroom was first cultivated in China. In India this mushroom was first cultivated in early 1940’s. In India, 19 edible species of Volvariella have been documented but most important are three of them only viz; V. esculenta (Mass) Sing., V. diplasia (Berk and Br.) Sing. and V. volvacea (Bull. ex Fr.) Sing. Volvariella volvacea are great source of Carbohydrate (54.80%)> Protein (37.50%)> Fibre (5.50%)> Fat (2.60%)> Ash (1.10%) and Energy k cal (305) in 100g dry weight. They have ergo-sterol that acts as a precursor for Vitamin D synthesis in human body. Ergo-sterol is converted in to vitamin D2 when exposed to UV- radiation or sunlight also. Bed cost is about 60-70 rupees and Yield of bed is appx. 1.0-1.5 kg i.e., Price of mushroom Rs. 200/- return as per market value. So, farmers can get net profit of 130/- or at least Rs. 100/- profit per bed within 15 days. So, it can be used as a weapon against malnutrition and environment protection also.

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