A Comparative Study of Technological Impact on Mushroom Industry in Sri Lanka: A Review

Abstract

The present status of technological implementation for mushroom industry in Sri Lanka is expressed along this paper. It has been comparatively discussed with entire Japanese mushroom industry. Sri Lanka is a developing country located in south Asia. Almost all the mushroom cultivators in the country are growing Pleurotus ostreatus, Calocybe indica and Volvariella volvacea. These species are most preferred because they are not difficult to cultivate using the low cost cultivation method being practiced in the country. Mushroom cultivators are selling their product at prices ranging from LKR 240 (1.47) to LKR 430 (USD 2.63) per kg in 2017. Mushroom cultivation is not that popular in Sri Lanka. This may be, partly, attributed to lack of know-how, technological barrier and awareness on the economic, nutritive and medicinal benefits of cultivated mushrooms. Some of the major supermarkets do sell locally cultivated P. ostreatus and, Agaricus bisporus and Lentinula edodes mushrooms which are imported from the Republic of China and Thailand. At present, there are few private and government institutions which produce spawn and offer knowledge to the farmers. Their programs have been mainly focused on mushroom cultivation as a woman's household business; but the industry should be developed towards large scale commercial mushroom cultivation as well. This study is focused on main steps of mushroom production with some discussion and suggestion for increase production efficiency through technological advancement.

The Water Footprint of Oyster mushroom (<em>Pleurotus ostreatus</em>) Cultivation under Small-scale Polybag Farming Conditions in Sri Lanka

“…Sri Lankan farmers generally use 200 L steelbarrel for the sterilization process of mushroom cultivation. The 200 L barrel with water filled up to around 5 -6 inches height (Roughly volume of water = 35 L) was heated using firewood to generate steam at high pressure (15 psi) and temperature (121 0 C) which were required for the sterilization of substrate containing bags (Gamage and Ohga, 2018). Same method was adopted by the three farms selected in the study for the sterilization of the substrate containing bags.…”

Termite Mushrooms (Termitomyces), a Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Exhibiting Human Health Benefits: A Review

“…heimii (local name: Pouak tap kan yao), and T. microcarpus (local name: Poauk kai noi), all of which are available in local markets [ 85 , 168 ]. Two Termitomyces species, e.g., T. eurrhizus and T. microcarpus frequently consumed in Sri Lanka [ 169 , 170 ].…”