BOTANY: Mushroom Cultivation (BOTSEC-151T)
FYUG Even Semester Exam, 2024

Course No: BOTSEC-151T | Full Marks: 50 | Pass Marks: 20 | Time: 2 Hours

Subject: Botany (Skill Enhancement Course)

Semester: 2nd Semester

Exam Name: FYUG Even Semester Exam, 2024

SECTION-A (Answer any fifteen) 1 × 15 = 15

1. Define mushrooms.

Mushrooms are the macroscopic fruiting bodies of certain fungi, typically belonging to the Basidiomycota or Ascomycota divisions, which can be either edible or poisonous.

2. What do you mean by 'toadstools'?

The term 'toadstools' is commonly used to refer to poisonous or inedible mushrooms, often characterized by bright colors or umbrella-like caps.

3. What is button mushroom?

Button mushroom refers to Agaricus bisporus, the most widely cultivated and consumed mushroom globally, known for its white, rounded cap.

4. What is oyster mushroom?

Oyster mushroom refers to species of Pleurotus, named for their oyster-shaped caps and rapid growth on various lignocellulosic substrates.

5. What is inoculation hook?

An inoculation hook is a laboratory tool with a bent metal tip used to transfer small pieces of fungal mycelium or agar into growth media.

6. Define inoculation loop.

An inoculation loop consists of a handle with a thin wire forming a small loop at the end, used to pick up and transfer microbial cultures or spores.

7. Define culture rack.

A culture rack is a tiered structure used in laboratory or cultivation rooms to organize and hold Petri dishes, flasks, or spawn bottles during incubation.

8. Write about low-cost stove.

A low-cost stove is a simple heating device used in small-scale mushroom units for sterilizing substrates or boiling grains for spawn preparation.

9. What is mushroom bed?

A mushroom bed is a prepared surface or container filled with sterilized or pasteurized substrate where fungal mycelium is grown for fruiting.

10. Define composting.

Composting is the biological process of decomposing organic matter (like straw and manure) by microbes to create a nutrient-rich substrate suitable for button mushrooms.

11. Write about maize straw for bed preparation.

Maize straw serves as a locally available lignocellulosic substrate that can be chopped and soaked to prepare beds for oyster mushroom cultivation.

12. What do you mean by low-cost technology?

Low-cost technology involves using inexpensive, locally available materials and manual methods to cultivate mushrooms without high investment in heavy machinery.

13. Define storage of mushrooms.

Storage refers to the techniques used to preserve the shelf life of harvested mushrooms, preventing spoilage due to their high moisture content.

14. What is canning?

Canning is a long-term preservation method where mushrooms are cleaned, blanched, and sealed in airtight cans with brine, followed by heat sterilization.

15. Name two amino acids present in mushrooms.

Lysine and Tryptophan.

16. Name some mineral elements present in mushrooms.

Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Selenium.

17. Name a mushroom toxin.

α-Amanitin (found in Amanita phalloides).

18. Name one mushroom research centre at National level.

ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR), Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

19. Name one mushroom research centre at regional level.

Mushroom Development Foundation (MDF), Guwahati (Regional example for NE India).

20. Why is mushroom regarded as an ideal food for diabetic patients?

Mushrooms are ideal because they are low in calories, low in sugar/starch, and contain no cholesterol, helping maintain stable blood glucose levels.

SECTION-B (Answer any five) 2 × 5 = 10

21. Write a note on nutritional value of edible mushrooms. [2]

Edible mushrooms are rich in high-quality proteins (20-35% dry weight), dietary fiber, and essential vitamins (B-complex, C, and D). They are low in fats and contain essential minerals like Potassium and Selenium.

23. locally available substrates for mushroom cultivation. [2]

Commonly used local substrates include:

  • Paddy straw (most common for Oyster and Straw mushrooms).
  • Maize straw and wheat straw.
  • Dried banana leaves and sugarcane bagasse.

25. Give a brief account of bed preparation with paddy straw. [2]

Paddy straw is soaked in water (sometimes with lime) for 12-24 hours, drained to maintain 65% moisture, and then layered in blocks or bags while mixing in mushroom spawn.

27. Write about mushroom drying. [2]

Drying involves removing moisture either by sun-drying or using mechanical dehydrators. It reduces the water activity, allowing mushrooms to be stored for several months without spoilage.

29. Write a note on cost-benefit ratio of mushroom cultivation. [2]

Mushroom cultivation is highly profitable with a low gestation period. The cost-benefit ratio is favorable because it uses agricultural waste as substrate and requires minimal land space.

SECTION-C (Answer any five) 5 × 5 = 25

32. Write an essay on Agaricus bisporus. [5]

Introduction: Agaricus bisporus, commonly known as the White Button Mushroom, is the most commercially cultivated species worldwide.

Cultivation Steps:

  1. Composting: Preparing a specific substrate using straw, horse manure, and gypsum.
  2. Spawning: Inoculating the compost with pure mushroom culture (spawn).
  3. Casing: Covering the colonized compost with a layer of soil/peat to induce fruiting.
  4. Cropping: Harvesting the mushrooms at the "button" stage.

34. Describe the preparation of spawn in detail. [5]

Spawn is the "seed" of the mushroom. Its preparation involves:

  • Grain Selection: Using wheat, sorghum, or pearl millet grains.
  • Boiling and Sterilization: Grains are boiled, mixed with Calcium Carbonate, and autoclaved at 121°C.
  • Inoculation: Pure culture of the desired mushroom is added to the grains under sterile conditions.
  • Incubation: Kept in a dark room until the mycelium completely covers the grains.

36. Describe mushroom composting. [5]

Composting creates a selective substrate for Agaricus. It is done in two phases:

  • Phase I (Outdoor): Raw materials like straw and poultry manure are wetted and piled. Microbes begin fermentation, raising temperatures to 70°C.
  • Phase II (Indoor/Pasteurization): The compost is heat-treated to kill pests and pathogens while converting ammonia into microbial protein.

38. Describe crude fibre and vitamins in mushrooms. [3+2=5]

Crude Fibre: Mushrooms contain significant amounts of chitin and hemicellulose in their cell walls, acting as dietary fiber that aids digestion and prevents constipation.

Vitamins: They are excellent sources of Vitamin B-complex (Riboflavin, Niacin) and Vitamin D. Some species also provide Vitamin C and Folate.

39. Give a detailed account of various types of food prepared from mushrooms. [5]

Mushrooms are versatile in the kitchen:

  • Fresh: Used in soups, stir-fries, and curries.
  • Processed: Mushroom powder (used in biscuits/health drinks), mushroom pickles, and ketchup.
  • Preserved: Canned mushrooms and sun-dried mushrooms for off-season use.

Exam Focus Enhancements

  • Exam Tips: For "Mushroom Bed Preparation" (Q35), always mention moisture control (approx. 65%) as a critical internal factor.
  • Common Mistakes: Do not confuse "Inoculation Hook" (bent tip) with "Inoculation Loop" (circular tip).
  • Important Formulas: Cost-Benefit Ratio = Total Returns / Total Costs.
  • Strategy: Use "Agaricus bisporus" as your primary example for any question regarding commercial cultivation.

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