LOW TECHNOLOGY, OUTDOOR CULTIVATION OF MUSHROOMS: MODEL FOR THE SOUTHEREASTERN U.S.

TWO SPECIES OF EDIBLE MUSHROOMS WILL BE GROWN OUTDOORS ON A VARIETY OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE PRODUCTS WHICH COME FROM MAJOR LOCAL CROPS: RICE, SUGAR CANE AND COTTON. ABANDONED FARM EQUIPMENT WILL BE CONVERTED AND USED AS PASTEURIZATION EQUIPMENT FOR STERILIZATION OF THE SUBSTRATE. LOW COST METHODS OF SPAWN INOCULATION WILL BE DEVELOPED AND TESTED. MANUALS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR TEACHING SIMPLIFIED METHODS OF EDIBLE MUSHROOM CULTIVATION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN REGIONS F THE U.S. WILL BE WRITTEN AND DEVISED. SOURCES FOR OBTAINING FARM EQUIPMENT, WASTE PRODUCTS WHICH CAN BE USED AS SUBSTRATE AND INEXPENSIVE, BUT HIGHLY EFFICIENT FORMS OF INOCULUM WILL BE IDENTIFIED. COMPETITIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES WILL BE STUDIED AND PUT INTO PLACE.