In mushroon cultivation, spawn is

Options

A. Compost
B. Button stage
C. Vegetative mycelium
D. Harvested mushroom.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Concept of Spawn**: In mushroom cultivation, the term "spawn" refers to a living fungal culture. This is crucial because it serves as the foundation for growing mushrooms.

2. **Identifying Spawn**: Spawn is primarily composed of mycelium, which is the vegetative part of a fungus. Mycelium consists of a network of fine white filaments known as hyphae.

3. **Role of Spawn in Cultivation**: Spawn is used as a seed for mushroom cultivation. It is inoculated onto a substrate, which is a material that provides the necessary nutrients for the growth of the fungus.

4. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Compost**: This is incorrect. Compost is a substance that enhances soil fertility but is not the same as spawn.
- **Button Stage**: This is also incorrect. The button stage refers to a specific developmental phase of mushrooms, not the spawn itself.
- **Vegetative Mycelium**: This is the correct answer. Spawn is essentially vegetative mycelium that is used to grow mushrooms.
- **Harvested Mushroom**: This is incorrect. Harvested mushrooms are the mature fruiting bodies of the fungus, not the spawn.

5. **Conclusion**: The correct answer to the question is that in mushroom cultivation, spawn is "vegetative mycelium."

**Final Answer**: C) Vegetative Mycelium

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