Corn stalks as mushroom substrate?

Hello folks,

I'm wondering if anyone has experience using gmo-corn stalks for oyster mushroom substrate.
I'm surrounded by GM corn farms.

Yep.
Thoughts? Thanks.
Charles

As a farmer, I don't let people take corn stalks from my fields, unless I am well compensated for them. People think that they are waste. I consider them to be the fertility of the farm for next growing season.

Fair enough!
What do you consider "well compensated" ?

Charles.  I have not used corn stalks for oyster mushrooms myself but and pretty certain they could make make a good substrate, 0.3% hydrogen peroxide or another low effort treatment might work too.  GMO cross contamination of the mushrooms would not be a concern.  Also, consider Wine Cap Stropharia (Stropharia rugosoannulata),  in eastern Europe they are grown in fields on the corn stubble.

David,

When you mention peroxid hydrogen, it is without boiling or pasteurization? Just... straight water + h2o2 @ 0.3%, then mix, squeeze, then bag with spawned grains?
I'm still quite an idiot regarding the GMO thing.

Charles

Charles,
Here are a couple links that have information on the Hydrogen peroxide method:
http://mushroomersclub.blogspot.com/2012/09/grow-mushrooms-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html#.WBgW3_krJPY

http://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/pasteurize.html
Soaking for 24 hours is how I have done it.  It is not as effective as pasteurization however it does give your mushroom spawn an advantage.  

Are you talking about the actual stalk of the plant or the cobs? Cobs are good mushroom substrate, not prone to bacterial contamination but probablly would do best with some bran to boost the nutrition level otherwise I doubt you'd get consistent yields. Because of the high sugar content pasteurized corn stalks probably contaminate easily.Wheat oat barely or rice straw are all probably better candidates, But yes you could certainly use corn waste for mushroom production.

Would sorghum stalks be even better?  Planning to grow sorghum as a test next year primarily for some grain to feed chickens but was looking into processing stalks for molasses.  This seems like another good use.  I think the sugar in the stalks might fill the role of a second ingredient like wheat germ?