25 Years of Mushroom AICRIP

25 Years of AICRP
(Mushroom)
O.P. Ahlawat
Satish Kumar
T. Arumuganathan
R.P. Tewari
All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom
National Research Centre for Mushroom

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Chambaghat, Solan-173 213 (HP)
25 Years of AICRP (Mushroom)
Printed: 2008, 1000 Copies
Published by:
Director
National Research Centre for Mushroom (ICAR)
Chambaghat, Solan – 173 213 (HP), INDIA
Phone: 01792-230451; Fax: 01792-231207
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: www. nrcmushroom.org
Cover Page: Stages of progress in mushroom research
© N.R.C.M. 2008
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any
form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the
competent authority.
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ii
CONTENTS
Page No.
Foreward v
Executive Summary vii
Abbrevations xiii
1. All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom: 1

at a Glance
2. History of AICRPM Centres 8
3. Genetic Resources 17
4. Region Specific Mushroom Varieties 30
5. Technologies Generated 35
6. Cropping System Research 52
7. Strategies for Pest and Disease Management 58
8. Technologies Transferred and Extension Services Rendered 63
9. Benefit Reaped by the Farmers 79
10. Milestones and Lamp Posts of the Project 82
11. Information Gateways 88
12. Attributes of Mushroom Varieties, Strains and Technologies 91

Released
iii
FOREWARD
Mushroom cultivation is a potential biotechnological process wherein
the waste plant materials or negative value crop residues can be converted
into valuable food. Protein conversion efficiency and productivity of
mushrooms per unit land area and time is far superior than plant and animal
sources. In recent years mushroom cultivation in India has witnessed a
tremendous growth with respect to the type of mushrooms and their
producitivity. The mushroom market is growing continously mainly due to
increasing interest in their culinary, nutritional and health benefits. On
recognizing the importance of mushroom as an eco-friendly alternative for
agro-waste recycling, capability to provide better nutrition for the vast
vegetarian population, employment generation and a good income source,
organized research on mushroom was initiated in India with the
establishment of National Research Centre for Mushroom and All India
Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom in 1983 at Solan (HP).
During the past 25 years of its implementation, the project had been
instrumental in bring out superior strains of white button mushroom, paddy
straw mushroom, milky mushroom, oyster mushroom, superior casing
materials for button mushroom, post harvest technology and standardization
of cultivation technology of specialty mushrooms which are needed to
diversify the mushroom cultivation scenario in the country.
Optimizing the yield of oyster, button, milky, paddy straw and shiitake
mushrooms by way of using different substrates, chemicals, casing materials
and supplements, identifying safer chemicals for improving shelf-life of
button mushroom, packaging and drying of mushrooms, isolation and
identification of thermophilic fungi, germplasm collection and conservation,
and survey and surveillance for diseases and insect-pests of mushrooms
will further improve the production and productivity of mushrooms and
will foster socio-economic upliftment of the mushroom growers throughout
the country. The extension services along with supply of quality spawn has
v
equally contributed in popularizing the mushroom even in remote areas of

the country.
The present publication aims at highlighting organizational set up and

major achievements made under the AICRP (Mushroom) during the last
25 years. The authors, Dr. O.P. Ahlawat, Dr. Satish Kumar and Dr. T.
Arumuganathan have done a commendable job in compiling and editing
the information. The valuable contribution from the Scientist Incharges of
all the AICMIP Centers in bringing out this publication is gratefully
acknowledged. I am very sure, this publication will be of immense use to
Indian mushroom growers and mushroom scientists for their efforts to make
the world a healthier place to live.
Rajendra Prasad Tewari

Director
National Research Centre for
Mushroom, Solan – 173 213 (HP)
vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom (AICRPM) was
initiated during VIth Five-Year Plan on 01.04.1983 with its
Headquarters at National Research Centre for Mushroom, Solan (HP).
2. Presently, there are 10 Co-ordinating and one co-operating Centres

working under AICRP (Mushroom) located in 11 states. Of these, 9
Centres are based at State Agricultural Universities, while 2 at ICAR
institutes. The AICRP (Mushroom) network covers major distinct
agro-climatic zones in the country.
3. Presently, there are 16 scientific, 12 technical, 7 administrative and 9

supporting staff working at various AICRP Centres.
4. The financial outlay of the project since its inception in VIth plan till
Xth plan had been Rs. 838.13 Lacs.
5. The activities of the AICRP Centres are monitored through the visits
of Project Coordinator, monitoring teams, quarterly and annual
reports, regular group meetings / workshops and high powered
Quinquennial Review Teams (QRTs) constituted by the Indian Council
of Agricultural Research. Since the inception of the project, 10
workshops/ group meetings have been held in such a manner that
venues are evenly distributed through out the country. During these
meetings recommendations for release of varieties, cultivation
technologies, and crop protection measures are brought out. Based on
the previous results and keeping in view the emerging problems, new
technical programmes are also worked out in these meetings.
6. The project had been instrumental in coordinating and monitoring

multilocational trials with improved mushroom varieties / hybrids,
cultivation practices related to crop production, crop protection
measures and post harvest technologies, all aimed at increasing
production, productivity and utilization of mushroom in the country.
vii
7. As many as 914 wild mushroom specimens were collected by different

Centres under the AICRP (Mushroom) since its inception. The
specimens were preserved in dry and wet forms, and most of their
cultures along with database were deposited in gene bank at NRCM,
Solan.
8. At present, four mushroom varieties namely, Agaricus bisporus,

Calocybe indica, Pleurotus spp. and Volvariella spp. have been
recommended for round the year cultivation in the country.
9. Species and strains of different mushrooms performing better in

eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions are Agaricus bisporus (CM-3, CM-
13 and S-11), Pleurotus florida, P. sajor-caju, P. sajor-caju (hybrid
strain-1), Hypsizygus ulmarius, Calocybe indica (CI-7, CI-6, CI-1 and
APK-2) and Volvariella volvacea (Vv-3, Vv-2, Vv-12 and Vv-8).
10. Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur under All India

Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom released a variety of oyster
mushroom (Pleurotus florida) NMS-7 strain as Indira Sweta (OM-1)
for commercial cultivation throughout the state of Chhattisgarh.
11. Ananthan, an interstock hybrid of Pleurotus petaloides developed at

the AICRP, Vellayani Centre was released by the Kerala State
Government and is widely acclaimed by the farmers of Kerala.
12. Ten mushroom varieties were released by TNAU, Coimbatore under

AICRPM for the benefit of the mushroom growers of Tamil Nadu.
13. Amongst different strains of Agricus bisporus, strains P-1, NCS-12

and 310 were observed to be high yielding in Maharashtra. Agaricus
bitorquis strain NCB-6 can be grown successfully at natural
temperature (22 to 26oC) during monsoon under Pune conditions.
14. Application of Phosphotika biofertilizer @ 1.0 % at the time of

spawning gave maximum average button mushroom yield of 1251 g/
10 kg compost. Strain U-3 interacted well with Phosphotika
biofertilizer. The application of Veradix-2 spray @ 0.15 % at pinning
stage recorded highest button yield of 1361 g/10 kg compost.
viii
15. Chemical treatment (Formalin 15 ml + Bavistin 0.5 g/10 kg compost)

was developed for long method compost to avoid the moulds effectively
in cultivation of A. bisporus.
16. Compost inoculated with mixed inoculum of Gilmaniella humicola +

Scytalidium thermophilum + Thermomyces lanuginosus at the time
of spawning enhanced the button mushroom yield.
17. In casing materials evaluation, 2 years old spent compost, FYM + spent
compost (1:1, v/v) and FYM+ soil+ sand+ spent compost (1:1:1:1, v/
v) out yielded the other treatments.
18. The hot water treatment of the substrate resulted into significantly
higher yield of oyster mushroom (720 g/kg dry substrate) than other
two methods of pasteurization (chemical and solar pasteurization) of
substrate.
19. Chemical treatment of paddy straw using carbendazim 75 ppm +

formalin 500 ppm increased the yield of P. citrinopileatus by 38 per
cent over control.
20. Supplementation treatment with deoiled soybean meal @ 2% of dry

weight of substrate resulted into giving maximum oyster mushroom
yield of 733 g/kg dry substrate as compared to other supplementation
treatments in both the species viz., Pleurotus sajor-caju and P. florida
of oyster mushroom.
21. Pleurotus fossulatus and Pleurotus florida were successfully grown

on wheat straw substrate and P. florida gave maximum yield of 966.67
g/ kg substrate (96.66 % biological efficiency) and P. fossulatus with
the yield of 886 g/ kg substrate (88.60 % biological efficiency).
22. Dipping of oyster mushroom substrate in the solutions of 0.4 and 0.6
% of effective microorganisms preparations was found to significantly
increase the mushroom yield by 50 %.
23. Blue oyster mushroom (Hypsizygus ulmarius) was successfully grown

on wheat straw with 57.80% biological efficiency.
ix
24. In oyster mushroom cultivation, hollow beds resulted in substantial

increase in yield of different species of Pleurotus due to increase in
aeration and wetting of the inner surface of the substrates. Chopping
of straw in the length of 6-9" were extremely helpful in significant
increase in yield of Pleurotus spp. than straw length of 3" may be due
to increased air space, surface area and effective penetration of water.
25. An improvised air cooling system was developed by Vellayani Centre

for speedy sporocarp induction in dormant beds of oyster mushrooms
during the cropping phase.
26. Amendment of substrate with cotton waste followed by neem cake

and chicken manure increased the yield of Volvariella volvacea by 46,
33 and 30 per cent over control.
27. The highest biological efficiency was recorded in milky mushroom

strain CI-6 (107 %) followed by CI-7 (88.9 %), CI-1 (80.2 %), CI-3 (73.8
%) and APK-2 (72.8 %).
28. Silver oak saw dust+wheat bran (8 %) was found to be the best
substrate for the cultivation of Auricularia polytricha with an average
yield of 811.7 g/ kg of substrate.
29. Supplementation of wheat straw with wheat bran and rice bran was
found to enhance the yield of black ear mushroom.
30. Cultivation of Lentinula edodes was standardized with wheat straw

and popular sawdust substrates supplemented with wheat bran @ 20
per cent.
31. Cultivation technology of Ganoderma lucidum was standardized using

sterilized wheat straw supplemented with wheat bran (5 %) substrate.
The medium MEA, pH 5-6 and temperature range of 26±2°C recorded
maximum growth of Ganoderma lucidum.
32. The acceptable white colour of button mushroom was retained upto
48 h on packaging mushrooms in 100 gauge PP bags followed by
storage at both refrigerated and ambient conditions.
x
33. At refrigerated conditions, dipping treatment in 100 ppm EDTA and

100 ppm EDTA + 0.02% KMS showed retention of good milky white
colour of button mushroom upto 48 h. However, at ambient
temperature, desired colour was retained in 100 ppm EDTA + 0.02%
KMS treatment upto 48 h.
34. Dipping of the fruiting bodies of button mushroom (strain S-11) in

125 ppm EDTA solution showed best results by increasing the shelf
life and maintaining good colour and texture both under refrigerated
and ambient storage conditions up to 72 h.
35. Blanching followed by sun drying was found best method for drying of
Pleurotus sajor-caju in comparison to cabinet drying-unblanched and
blanched methods.
36. Wheat straw compost was found better than paddy straw compost for
growing Agaricus bisporus. Initial level of 1.5 % N in the compost
proved to be optimum for getting higher yield of A. bisporus strain, S-
11.
37. Paddy straw mushroom could be successfully cultivated in the inter

row spaces of maize (30 days after sowing), sugarcane (8 months after
planting) and banana (5 months after planting).
38. Most of the pathogens and pests of white button mushroom can be
managed by sound hygiene and sanitation measures which are the best
available options with a grower at the moment. The use of chemicals
namely Bavistin and Sporgone should be applied only under extremely
unavoidable circumstances.
39. Survey and surveillance of diseases and insect-pests are carried out at
regular intervals and the growers are advised for various components
of IPM. They are (i) Farm hygiene, (ii) Providing doors, windows and
ventilators with 35 mesh nylon net to prevent entry of the flies in the
cropping room, (iii) Use of light and yellow sticky traps for monitoring
and killing mushroom flies, (iv) Cooking out at 70- 800C at least for 2
hours before removing the beds to kill all stages of pests and diseases,
xi
(v) Safe disposal of spent compost and casing materials in isolated

manure pits to check the breeding of flies.
40. All the Centres carried out the extension activities by participating in
State/National level Exhibitions, Melas, Kisan Gosthies, mass
communication through AIR & TV programmes, replying letters,
telephones, e-mails and on the spot guidance during farm visits. Almost
all the Centres conducted training programmes of different durations
for farmers, farmwomen, unemployed youths and the entrepreneurs
of their areas.
xii
ABBREVIATIONS
AICRPM - All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom
HP - Himachal Pradesh
NRCM - National Research Centre for Mushroom
UP - Uttar Pradesh
ICAR - Indian Council of Agricultural Research
UGC - University Grants Commission
DSR - Days taken for Spawn Run
sq. ft. - Square Feet
Rs. - Rupees
TNAU - Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Govt. - Government
R&D - Research and Development
MT - Metric Tons
% - per cent
m. ha. - Million Hectare
C.G. - Chhattisgarh
kg - kilo gram
spp. - species
viz. - namely
IGAU - Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
g - gram
i.e. - that is
FYM - Farm Yard Manure
xiii
h - hour
@ - at the rate
EDTA - Ethylene di-amine tetra acetic acid
ppm - parts per million
KMS - potassium meta bisulphate
PP - polypropylene
PE - polyethylene
K2HPO4 - Di-potassium Hydrogen Phosphate
LMC - Long Method Compost
DDVP - Dichlorvos (Nuvon)
°C - degree Celsius
BE - Biological Efficiency
DCSR - Days for Spawn Run
MEA - Malt Extract Agar
pH - Hydrogen ion concentration
cm - centimeter
q - quintal
“ - inch
etc. - etcetera
Fig. - Figure
N - Nitrogen
m2 - Square meter
DAS - Days After Sowing
P - phosphorous
K - potassium
C/N ratio - Carbon to Nitrogen ratio
xiv
CO2 - carbon dioxide

BHC - Benzene Hexa Chloride
IPM - Integrated Pest Management
KVK - Krishi Vigyan Kendra
CD - Compact Disc
T.V. - Television
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy
M.Sc. - Master of Science
ODL - Open Distance Learning
HARP - Horticulture and Agro forestry Research Programme
DBT - Department of Biotechnology
NSS - National Social Service
NHB - National Horticultural Board
min - minute
M.P. - Madya Pradesh
NGO - Non Governmental Organisation
IFFCO - Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Organisation
MHS - Mushroom Hitgrahi Sangh
VHSE - Vocational Higher Secondary Examination
PAU - Punjab Agricultural University
< - lesser than
> - greater than
SHG - Self Help Group
BPL - Below Poverty Line
xv
1. ALL INDIA COORDINATED RESEARCH
PROJECT ON MUSHROOM : AT A GLANCE
1.1. Genesis and Network Kanpur (UP) and Kalyani (West

Bengal) were dropped. However, three
The All India Coordinated new Centres during VIIIth Five Year
Research Project on Mushroom Plan and 3 Co-ordinating and one co-
(AICRPM) came into existence during operating Centre during IXth Five Year
VIth Five-Year Plan on 01.04.1983 Plan were added to the existing list of
with its Headquarters at National Centres by dropping one at Goa. At
Research Centre for Mushroom, Solan present, 10 Co-ordinating and one co-
(HP). The Director of NRC for operating Centres are working under
Mushroom, Solan (HP) also functions AICRPM programme with its
as the Project Co-ordinator of the Headquarters at NRCM, Solan (Table
project. Initially the AICRPM started 1).
with six Centres one each at Punjab
Agricultural University, Ludhiana All the Co-ordinating Centres and
(Punjab), G.B.Pant University of HQrs. at NRCM, Solan work in co-
Agriculture and Technology, ordination on common objectives and
Pantnagar (Uttarakhand), C.S. Azad mandate. The technical programme
University of Agriculture and for conducting participatory research
Technology, Kanpur (UP), Bidhan at all the Centres and the HQrs. is
Chandra Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, finalized in a biennial workshop
Kalyani (West Bengal), Tamil Nadu organised at any of the Centre or
Agricultural University, Coimbatore HQrs. During the biennial workshop
(Tamil Nadu) and Mahatma Phule the progress reports for the previous
Agricultural University, Pune years are presented and discussed to
(Maharashtra). At a later stage monitor the progress made in the
during VIIth Plan, one new Centre at project during the previous years. The
Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa technologies generated are also
Vidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) was assessed for their release and adoption
added and two existing Centres at at all India level.
1
Table 1: Details of Centres under AICRP on Mushroom

Location Latitude/Longitude Year of Current
(Institute/University) establish- status
ment
Headquarters
Solan, PC, NRCM, Solan (HP) 30° 55" 0’ N, 77° 7" 0’ E 1983 Continued
Coordinating Centres
· Punjab 30° 41’ 15" N, 11.01.1984 Continued
· Punjab Agricultural University, 76° 1’ 45°E
Ludhiana
· Tamil Nadu 10° 59’ 47" N, 01.04.1983 Continued
· Tamil Nadu Agricultural 76° 57’ 40" E
University, Coimbatore
· Uttarakhand 29° 3’ 0" N, 4.10.1984 Continued
· G.B. Pant University of 79° 31’ 0" E
Agriculture and Technology,
Pantnagar
· Weat Bengal 22° 59’ N, 88° 28’ E 01.04.1983 Closed w.e.f.
· Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwa 01.04.1990
Vidyalaya, Kalyani
· Uttar Pardesh 26° 28’ N, 80° 21’ E 12.10.1984 Closed w.e.f.
· C.S. Azad University of 1986
Agriculture & Technology,
Kanpur
· Maharashtra 18° 32’ N, 73° 51’E 22.08.1983 Continued
· Mahatma Phule Agricultural
University, Pune
· Uttar Pradesh 26° 31’ 0"N, 82° 35’ 0" E 01.10.1993 Continued
· N.D.University of Agriculture
and Technology, Faizabad
· Chhattishgarh 17° 48N and 24°5N 1.03.1988 Continued
· Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa 80° 15-84°20E
Vidyalaya, Raipur
· Rajasthan 24° 36’ 16" N, 17.09.1993 Continued
· Maharana Pratap University of 73° 49’ 6" E
Agriculture and Technology,
Udaipur
2
Location Latitude/Longitude Year of Current

(Institute/University) establish- status
ment
· Goa 15° 30’ N, 73° 48’ E not Closed
· ICAR Research Complex, Goa initiated
· Kerala 80° 18’ and 120° 48’ N, 4.09.2000 Continued
· Kerala Agricultural University, 740° 52’ and 770° 22’ E
Thrissur
· Megalaya 25° 34’ 16" N, 4.09.2000 Continued
· ICAR Research Complex for 91° 53’ 48" E
NEH Region, Barapani
· Jharkhand 22° 58’ 0" N, 4.09.2000 Continued
· Horticulture and Agroforestry 85° 32’ 0" E
Research Programme (ICAR
Research Complex for Eastern
Region), Ranchi
· Himachal Pradesh 30° 55" 0’ N, 4.09.2000 Continued
· Dr.Y.S.Parmar University of 77° 7" 0’ E
Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni,
Solan – Co-operating Centre
1.2. Mandate and Objective 2. To evaluate the promising and

high yielding strains received from
The mandate of AICRP
NRCM stock for regional
(Mushroom) is to coordinate and
adaptability.
monitor multilocation trials with
improved mushroom varieties / 3. To carry multi-locational trials
hybrids, cultivation practices related for finalization of standard
to crop production, crop protection production techniques for
measures and post harvest technology, increasing yield of different edible
all aimed at increasing production, mushrooms.
productivity and utilization of 4. To explore possibility of selection
mushroom in the country. Major of cheaper agro-waste available
activities under the project are: locally for substrate, compost and
1. To conduct survey of naturally casing.
occurring wild mushrooms with a 5. To supply good quality spawn to
view to identify and catalogue the the mushroom growers.
edible species as well as for 6. Popularization of mushroom
exploring the possibilities of cultivation on large scale through
domistication of promising strains. training.
3
1.3. On-Going Experiments
I. CROP IMPROVEMENT
Experiment Location
Imp. 1: Wild germplasm collection, Pune, Pantnagar, Solan, Udaipur, Ludhiana,
identification and conservation Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur, Vellayani,
Ranchi, Barapani
Imp. 2: Testing of different strains of Pune, Pantnagar, Solan (Pasteurized
white button mushroom, compost), Udaipur, Ludhiana, Faizabad
Agaricus bisporus (Long method compost)
Imp. 3: Strain evaluation of milky Pune, Pantnagar, Solan, Udaipur, Ludhiana,
mushroom, Calocybe indica Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur, Vellayani,
Ranchi, Barapani
Imp.4: Strain evaluation of paddy Ludhiana, Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur,
straw mushroom, Volvariella volvacea Vellayani, Ranchi, Barapani
Imp. 5: Strain evaluation of oyster Faizabad, Udaipur, Raipur, Vellayani,
mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju and Ranchi, Barapani
Pleurotus florida)
Imp. 6: Evaluation of the yield potential Faizabad, Ludhiana, Udaipur, Raipur,
of Pleurotus fossulatus Pantnagar, Ranchi, Barapani
II. CROP PRODUCTION
Experiment Location
1. Button mushroom
Prod. 7: Isolation and identification of Pune, Pantnagar, Solan, Udaipur,
thermophilic microorganisms from white Ludhiana, Faizabad
button mushroom compost from different
locations for their exploitation in rapid
composting process
Prod. 8: To test different locally available Pune, Solan, Udaipur, Ludhiana
agro-industrial waste for their feasibility
as casing material
2. Oyster mushroom
Prod. 9: Effect of chemical sprays on Pune, Pantnagar, Solan, Udaipur,
yield of Pleurotus spp. Ludhiana, Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur,
Vellayani, Ranchi, Barapani
4
Experiment Location
Prod. 10: Evaluation of the yield potential Pune, Pantnagar, Solan, Udaipur,
of blue oyster mushroom (Hypsizygus Ludhiana, Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur,
ulmarius) on different substrates Vellayani, Ranchi, Barapani
3. Paddy straw mushroom
Prod. 11: Cultivation of paddy straw Ludhiana, Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur,
mushroom, Volvariella volvacea Vellayani, Solan, Barapani
4. Milky Mushroom
Prod. 12: Cultivation of milky mushroom, Ludhiana, Faizabad, Pune, Raipur,
Calocybe indica Udaipur, Pantnagar, Vellayani, Ranchi
5. Shiitake Mushroom
Prod. 13: Cultivation of shiitake Udaipur, Pantnagar, Coimbatore, Raipur,
mushroom, Lentinula edodes Pune, Ludhiana, Solan
III. POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY
Experiment Location
Pht. 14: Washing treatment for button Pune, Pantnagar, Solan, Udaipur,
mushroom, Agaricus bisporus Ludhiana, Faizabad
Pht. 15: Packaging for button mushroom, Pune, Pantnagar, Solan, Udaipur,
A.bisporus Ludhiana, Faizabad
Pht. 16: Drying of oyster mushroom, Ludhiana, Udaipur, Coimbatore, Raipur,
Pleurotus spp. Vellayani, Ranchi
Pht. 17: Drying of milky mushroom, Pune, Pantnagar, Udaipur, Ludhiana,
Calocybe indica Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur, Vellayani,
Ranchi, Barapani
IV. CROP PROTECTION
Experiment Location
Prot. 18: Survey and Surveillance Pune, Pantnagar, Udaipur, Ludhiana,
of diseases and insect-pests in mushroom Solan, Faizabad, Coimbatore, Raipur,
farms in different regions Vellayani, Ranchi, Barapani
5
1.4. Man Power and Financial 1.5. Mechanism for Evaluation of

Details Project Activities
The sanctioned financial outlays Activities of the project are

for different Centres during various monitored through the visits of the
plan periods are given in Table 2. Project Coordinator. Workshops/
Group meetings of AICRPM scientists
The sanctioned staff positions in are held regularly to discuss progress
various categories at different Centres made under the project. During these
under AICRP (Mushroom) during various meetings recommendations for release
plans are depicted in Table 3. Currently of varieties, cultivation technologies,
there are 16 scientific, 12 technical, 7 and crop protection measures are
administrative and 9 supporting staff brought out. Based on the previous
positions at various Centres. results and keeping in view the
Table 2: Plan wise budget (lakhs) allocation for different Centres

Head VI plan Ad-hoc plan VII plan VIII plan IX Plan X plan
1990-91
Pay & allowances 3.58 9.86 25.90 89.75 200.00 318.93
Traveling 0.15 0.26 1.50 2.54 4.55 6.32
allowance
Recurring 1.65 1.18 6.70 17.16 40.86 18.63
contingencies
Equipments 5.87 0.80 4.95 6.65 21.19 6.12
Works - 1.78 8.50 17.20 15.55 -
Total 11.25 13.88 47.55 133.30 282.15 350.00
Table 3: Centre-wise manpower at different Centres

Name of the Centre Sanctioned positions in different categories
Scientific Technical Administrative Supporting
Ludhiana 2 1 1 2
Pune 2 1 1 2
Coimbatore 2 2 1 1
Faizabad 2 2 1 1
Pantnagar 2 2 1 1
Raipur 2 1 1 1
Udaipur 2 2 1 1
Vellayani 2 1 - -
6
emerging problems, new technical meetings have been held in such a

programmes are also worked out in manner that venues are evenly
these meetings. Since the inception distributed through out the country
of the project, 10 workshops/ Group (Table 4).
Table 4: Workshops/ Group Meetings of AICRPM

Workshops/ Group Date Venue
Meetings of AICRPM
Ist biennial Workshop of AICRP September, 23-25, National Centre for
on Mushroom 1986 Mushroom Research and
Training, Chambaghat,
Solan
IInd biennial Workshop of AICRP February, 12-13, College of Agriculture, Pune
on Mushroom 1988
IIIrd biennial Workshop of AICRP December, 18-19, National Centre for
on Mushroom 1989 Mushroom Research and
Solan
IVth biennial Workshop of AICRP December, 27-28, Tamil Nadu Agricultural
on Mushroom 1991 University, Coimbatore
Vth biennial Workshop of AICRP April, 11-12, 1994 National Centre for
on Mushroom Mushroom Research and
Solan
VIth biennial Workshop of AICRP December, 29-30, Rajasthan College of
on Mushroom 1997 Agriculture, Udaipur
VIIth biennial Workshop of AICRP May, 2000 National Research Centre
on Mushroom for Mushroom, Chambaghat,
Solan
VIIIth biennial Workshop of AICRP March, 8-9, 2002 Tamil Nadu Agricultural
on Mushroom University, Coimbatore
IXth biennial Workshop of AICRP October, 25-26, 2004 National Research Centre
on Mushroom for Mushroom, Chambaghat,
Solan
Xth biennial Workshop of AICRP October, 26-27, 2006 Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa
on Mushroom Vidyalaya, Raipur
7
2. HISTORY OF AICRPM CENTRES
2.1. Ludhiana Centre the economic standards. Currently

the mushroom production in the
The work on mushroom research state is revolving around 68,000
and development in the Department tonnes per year.
of Microbiology was initiated in early
1970’s under an ICAR funded ad- 2.2. Pune Centre
hoc project which was further
supported by a State funded Maharashtra is the second largest
“Research and Development project” state of the country with wide
in 1979. Subsequently w.e.f. diversity in climatic conditions and
1.4.1983 the Department of soil types favouring the cultivation
Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural of various field crops. Research on
University, Ludhiana was selected as different aspects of mushroom
one of the Coordinating Centres cultivation was initiated as early as
(sanction no. ICAR NE19 (1) HSMC in 1972 at College of Agriculture,
dated 29.10.1982) of the All India Pune. In recognition of the
Coordinated Research Project on pioneering research work on
Mushroom with financial implication mushroom, the ICAR, New Delhi
th
in the ratio of 75:25 (ICAR: Punjab sanctioned 6 AICRPM Centre to
State Government). Presently, the College of Agriculture, Pune in 1983
work carried out under AICRPM is (Fig.1). The Centre was sanctioned
being complemented by additional vide ICAR letter No.F-19(+) MC,
rd
funding in the form of many ad-hoc dated 23 Oct., 1982 and it actually
projects funded by ICAR, UGC, DSR started functioning on 22.08.1983.
and self supporting. Mushroom The funds for independent building
production is the only state of the art and infrastructural facilities were
th
economically viable solid state received from VII five year plan. At
fermentation process to utilize the present, few farms of button
crop residues with an ability to mushroom have come in operation
provide high protein food, in Pune, Nashik, Sangli, Thane and
employment and improvement in Akola districts of Maharashtra.
8
Oyster mushroom, locally known as on post harvest management and 2

“Dhingri” is now very popular experiments on survey an
among the common people mainly surveillance of insect-pests and
because of its simple cultivation diseases of mushrooms. The various
technique and less investment. The equipments and infrastructure
popularity of the milky mushroom is facilities developed at the Centre are
also increasing among the growers listed below:
and its major demand is in Mumbai
and Pune cities. Many growers have The Mushroom Project Building
successfully started growing of milky in College of Agriculture, Pune
mushroom in the state. Centre was completed in
February, 1988 having total built
up area of 1250 sq. ft., costing Rs.
2,72,558/-.
A training hall cum dhingri

house measuring around 400
sq.ft. was constructed in the year
1995-96 costing of Rs. 79,000/-.
A bulk chamber for compost

pasteurization was constructed
during 2001-02 costing Rs.
Fig. 1. AICRPM Centre, Pune 2,15,000/- (Fig. 2).
A total of 72 research A mini boiler of 50 kg steam/h

experiments have been conducted capacity with total cost of
under AICRPM, since 1983 to till Rs.49,400/- was purchased in
date. Of which, 29 experiments were 1995-96 and water softner for the
on button mushroom; 24 boiler costing Rs.17,000/- was
experiments on oyster mushroom; 9 purchased in 1996-97.
experiments on black ear, milky,
paddy straw and shiitake Different equipments worth Rs.
mushrooms; 3 on germplasm 3.99 lakhs were purchased
collection and survey; 5 experiments during 1999-2004 (Fig. 2).
9
Fig. 2. Research Facilities at AICRPM Centre, Pune
2.3. Coimbatore Centre was established for supplying

mushroom spawn to the mushroom
With the sustained research, growers. At a later stage regular
teaching and extension activities of Coordinated Centre of AICRPM was
the Department of Plant Pathology sanctioned with an aim to carry out
at TNAU, mushroom cultivation has location specific trials on mushroom
become one of the promising cultivation in Jharkhand.
agricultural enterprises in Tamil
Nadu since 1983. A mushroom 2.5. Pantnagar Centre
theme park was established during
2002 and a new building for Mushroom research at G.B. Pant
Mushroom Research and Training University of Agriculture &
has been established during 2006 Technology, Pantnagar was initiated
with a total cost of Rs. 26 lakhs. in mid-seventies in the Department
of Plant Pathology with a state
2.4. Ranchi Centre financed ‘Mushroom Development
Project’. Later, a regular Coordinated
The research and training in Centre of All India Coordinated
mushroom production at this Centre Research Project on Mushroom was
started in 2001 with a grant from sanctioned in 1982 which started
Central Sector Scheme on functioning from October, 1984.
Integrated Development of Creation of Centre laid foundation
Horticulture by Ministry of of systematic research on
Agriculture, Govt. of India. mushrooms at Pantnagar.
Consequently a spawn laboratory Mushroom Research Laboratory
10
building constructed and equipped with the help of photographs, charts

from the financial assistance of ICAR and nearly 200 dried and wet
was formally inaugurated on 26th specimens of wild and cultivated
January 1989. It was further mushrooms. Besides, the Centre
strengthened by the University and provides video film, photographs,
named as Mushroom Research and coloured slides and literature on
Production Centre in the year 1998. cultivation technologies of different
Later on with the addition of training mushrooms on payment basis.
unit, composting unit, a new
research lab, class room, museum
etc., it was renamed and recognized
as Mushroom Research and
Training Centre on April 05, 2003
by the Board of Management of the
University. The Centre is designed
to provide R & D support for
mushroom development
programmes of the Nation and the
state in particular.
Fig. 3. Mushroom museum at Pantnagar
Presently, this Centre has a
museum for display of different
technologies, committee room to Culture and Spawn Unit: Pure
organize seminars and meetings, cultures of cultivated mushrooms
class room and demonstration rooms are made available to researchers and
to impart trainings to students and
mushroom growers, four
experimental and one pilot scale
technology testing cropping rooms,
research laboratories, well equipped
spawn and composting units for
spawn and compost supply to the
mushroom growers.
Museum: The Centre has a

museum (Fig. 3), where all the
activities of Centre are illustrated Fig. 4. Spawn unit at Pantnagar
11
spawn producers on payment basis. Cropping Rooms: Four

The Centre’s commercial spawn experimental cropping rooms (Fig.
production unit (Fig. 4) sales master 6), one pilot scale testing cropping
as well as commercial spawn of room and two low cost mushroom
different strains of the cultivated production rooms (huts) are
mushrooms on advance booking. available for conducting trials under
varied conditions.
Composting Unit: The Centre has
a well equipped compost Committee and Class Rooms:
pasteurization unit (Fig. 5) for The Centre has adequate training
production of pasteurized compost. facilities, which include a committee
As per the requirement of room with modern audio-visual
researchers and mushroom growers, gadgets. It also has a classroom of 40
the supply of pasteurized compost is seats capacity for the training
ensured on prior booking basis. courses (Fig. 7).
Composting unit is comprised of a
straw storage shed, pre-wetting 2.6. Faizabad Centre
platform, out door composting shed,
two pasteurization tunnels each of Mushroom research and
10 MT ready compost capacity, teaching was started at N.D.
spawning room and boiler. University of Agriculture &
Technology, Faizabad during 1980-
Fig. 5. Composting unit at Pantnagar Fig. 6. Cropping rooms at Pantnagar
12
Fig. 7. Committee room and classroom at AICRPM Centre, Pantnagar
81 as per state government plan. 2.7. Raipur Centre

The Coordinated Centre of AICRP
on mushroom (AICRPM) was The Coordinating Centre of All
sanctioned and implemented during India Coordinated Research Project
1993-94 and a well equipped spawn on Mushroom was established in the
laboratory was established during Department of Plant Pathology,
2003-04 (Fig. 8). Since then College of Agriculture, Indira
research, teaching and extension Gandhi Agricultural University,
work has been carried out as per the Raipur on 1st March, 1988 as the 8th
AICRPM mandate. Centre of AICRPM (Fig. 9). The
Fig. 8. Facilities at AICRPM Centre, Faizabad
13
entire Chhattisgarh region is straw stacks kept in the field. During

comprised of three agroclimatic favourable period of the year, about
zones i) Chhattisgarh plains ii) 5 quintals of fresh Termitomyces spp.
Northern hill region iii) Bastar per day is being sold in the Raipur
plateau which fall under the market alone.
jurisduction of Indira Gandhi
Agricultural University, Raipur. Chhattisgarh state also
considered as “rice bowl”, is mainly
Chhattisgarh is the third largest dominated by rice and 80 % of the
state of India having maximum forest area (4 m.ha.) is under rainfed rice
area of 46 per cent. The forests are system. As a result of which, about
predominantly inhabited by tribles, 50 lakh tons of paddy straw is
whose livelihood depend on forest produced every year. Mushroom
produce and mushroom being one of cultivation in environment friendly
them. They collect the mushrooms low-cost mushroom huts can help to
from these forest areas for self earn subsistence to a large
consumption and sale in local village, population of the state during off
town and cities. They mainly collect season. A systematic work on
and consume the species of mushroom cultivation (mainly
Termitomyces, Boletus, Volvariella, Oyster mushroom) was taken up
Tuber, Cantharellus etc. Survey only after the establishment of
conducted from 1988-1997 revealed Centre under All India Coordinated
that Volvariella diplasia grows in Research Project on Mushroom at
every village naturally in paddy Indira Gandhi Agricultural
Fig. 9. AICRPM Centre, Raipur
14
University, Raipur during 1988. chalked out by the Co-ordinator and

During the last 20 years efforts have team are being conducted at the
been made to spread awareness Centre. Initailly Dr. B. Balakrishnan
about mushrooms and for that started the work as the Principal
mushroom cultivation has been Investigator but later on it was taken
demonstrated in villages with the over by Dr. Lulu Das in January
help of Women and Child Welfare 2006.
and Forest departments of
Chhattisgarh state. Till date about 2.9. Barapani Centre
1000 rural women from Raipur
district alone have been trained on The Centre at Barapani,
mushroom production technology. Meghalaya came in existence during
Recently, a commercial unit for ninth plan considering the
oyster mushroom production named availability of rich biodiversity in the
as “Chhattisgarh Mushroom” with area and great scope of mushroom
a capacity of 90 kg fresh mushroom cultivation. Being an ICAR institute
per day has been established at no separate posts were kept for
Tendua 29 km from Raipur. Thus, running of the Centre, however,
mushroom production technology funds were given in the form of
has started gaining momentum in contingency only to meet the day to
this part of the country and has led day requirement.
to employment and subsidiary
2.10. Udaipur Centre
income generation mainly in rural
areas of the state. About 15 The Centre came in existence
mushroom spawn production units during the 8th five year plan with a
have been established in different full fledged man power and budget
parts of the state which are (Fig. 10). The Centre has developed
fulfilling the requirements of good facilities with respect to
mushroom spawn. training and experimentation on
2.8. Vellayani Centre different mushrooms. The strategic
location of the Centre has helped in
The Indian Council of developing cultivation technology of
Agricultural Research sanctioned oyster and milky mushroom, and a
the Coordinated Centre of AICRP on large quantity of germplasm has
Mushroom at Vellayani in January, been collected and preserved over the
2001. Since then regular trials time.
15
Fig. 10. AICRPM Centre at Udaipur
2.11. Nauni Centre availability of the infrastructure and

the trained manpower at the Centre.
The Centre at Nauni, Solan came The mushroom research at the
in existence during ninth plan as a Centre started in early 70’s and over
cooperating Centre. Manpower and last 4 decades very high level of
budget was restricted to only the research outputs have come out from
contingency support considering the this Centre.
16
3. GENETIC RESOURCES
3.1. Ludhiana Centre (1), Geaster (1), Lepiota (1),

Leucocoprinus (1), Lycoperdon (1),
Surveys were conducted during Morchella (2), Mycena (1), Pleurotus
different seasons at multiple (4), Psathyrella (3), Psilocybe (1),
locations in and around Punjab state Sphaerobolus (1), Stropharia (1),
and the fleshy mushroom fungi were Termitomyces (3), Tricholoma (1),
collected. The various mushroom Tulostoma (9) and Volvariella (4).
species collected were Agaricus (34), The mushroom germplasm collected
Agrocybe (3), Arrhenia (1), Bolbitius at Ludhiana Centre is listed in Table
(4), Calvatia (2), Clitocybe (1), 5.
Conocybe (1), Coprinus (13), Cyathus
Table 5: Germplasm collection at Ludhiana Centre
Genus Species Strain Accession
Agaricus bisporus 33 MTCC
bitorquis 1 MTCC
Pleurotus sajor-caju 14 ATCC/MTCC
ostreatus 11 ATCC/MTCC
florida 10 ATCC/MTCC
flabellatus 7 ATCC/MTCC
cystidiosus 3 MTCC
citrinopileatus 3 MTCC
sapidus 2 ATCC/MTCC
eryngii 2 MTCC
fossulatus 1 ATCC/MTCC
pulmonarius 1 MTC
platypus 1 -
salmoneo stramineus 1 -
Volariella volvacea 7 ATCC/MTCC
diplasia 1 ATCC
17
Genus Species Strain Accession

Calocybe indica 10 -
Auricularia polytricha 1 -
Morchella esculenta 1 MTCC
Hypsizygus ulmarius 1 -
Lentinula edodes 2 -
Ganoderma lucidum 4 -
Total number of 117 strains Termitomyces were collected from

pertaining to 9 genera and 22 species Lonawala, Igatpuri, Mahabaleshwar,
were identified out of which 64 Nashik and Goa (Fig. 11) and pure
strains have already been cultures were isolated. About 140
accessioned. The cultures are specimens of wild fleshy fungi were
maintained through regular collected from different parts of
subculturing and are being western Maharashtra and identified
cryopreserved using glycerol/DMSO upto generic levels.
as the cryo protectant in liquid
nitrogen. The following mushroom
cultures are being maintained at the
3.2. Pune Centre Centre:
Mushroom species viz., Pholiota, Agaricus bisporus: P-1, U-3, S-

Lepiota, Chlorolepiota and 11, CM-1 to CM-15, S-130, N-210,
N-211 and N-560
Agaricus bitorquis: NCB-6 and

NCB-13
Pleurotus spp.: P. sajor-caju, P.

florida, P. eous, P. citrinopileatus,
P. ostreatus, P. eryngii, P. sapidus,
P. membranaceous and Blue
oyster (Hypsizygus ulmarius)–
CO-2
Fig. 11. Survey and collection of wild
fungi by Pune Scientists
18
Milky mushroom (Calocybe A total number of 120 fleshy

indica): CI-1 to CI-9 and APK-2 fungi were collected during the
survey. Among them one each of
Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula Agaricus bisporus, Ganoderma
edodes): LS-5 and LE lucidum, Schizophyllum spp.,
Lycoperdon spp., Auricularia
Paddy straw mushroom polytricha, Tricholoma gigantea,
(Volvariella volvacea): PS-2 Hypsizygus ulmarius, Pleurotus
florida, P. ostreatus, P. cystidiosus, P.
Wild fleshy fungi cultures: 23
eous, P. platypus, P. djamor, P.
(FFP-1 to FFP – 23)
flabelatus, Lentinula edodes, L.
The following mushroom connatus, A. bitorquis,
cultures were deposited at NRCM, Termitomyces, Amanita spp., Fomes
Solan: spp., Auricularia polytricha,
Polyporus spp., three isolates of
FFP-1-OE-299-Termitomyces Calocybe indica and three isolates of
spp. Volvariella volvacea were pure
cultured and maintained in the
FFP-2-OE-300- Agaricus spp. germplasm bank of Mushroom
Research and Training Centre,
FFP-6-OE-301- Tricholoma spp.
TNAU, Coimbatore.
FFP-7-OE-302- Agaricus spp.
The pure cultured mushroom
FFP-15-OE-303-Panaeolus spp. cultures were tested for their
bioefficiency and nutritional status
FFP-23-OE-304-Ganoderma spp. and by continuous research,
varieties were released for the
3.3. Coimbatore Centre benefit of the farmers from time to
time. Among these cultures the
Tamil Nadu state has a great
Volvariella volvacea strain PS-1 and
potential for collection of different
WC-19 strain of Calocybe indica are
newer species of wild mushrooms
under multi location testing for their
because of its proximity to the
release as variety for commercial
Western Ghats and Bay of Bengal, its
production.
subtropical/tropical agro climatic
conditions and large forest covered
area.
19
3.4. Pantnagar Centre Of the collected mushroom

species, five isolates of Auricularia,
Uttarakhand is gifted with rich two species of Pleurotus and ten
flora of mushrooms. Under AICRP isolates of Ganoderma lucidum have
(Mushroom), surveys were been brought under cultivation. A
conducted in the forest areas to total of 150 mushroom specimens
collect the natural mushroom flora. from different locations of
Some of the fleshy fungi collected at Uttarakhand have been collected
Pantnagar Centre are listed in Table and preserved.
6.
Table 6: Fleshy fungi collected at Pantnagar Centre

Mushroom species Mushroom species Mushroom species
Agaricus silvaticus Daldinia concentrica Auricularia spp. (from silver oak)
Amanita phalloides Daedalea confragosa Auricularia spp. (from silver oak)
Amanita spp. Earth Ball Auricularia spp. (big size)
Auricularia spp. Ganoderma lucidum Auricularia spp. (small size)
Boletus edulis Ganoderma spp. Auricularia spp. (from mango tree)
Boletus spp. (brown) Geastrum spp. Russula delica (white colour)
Boletus spp. (light cream)Puff Ball (big size) Geastrum triplex (earth star)
C. lagopus Puff Ball (small size) Grifola spp. (mandarin colour)
Calocera viscose Grifola sulfurea Pleurotus cystidiosus (2 isolates)
Cantharellus spp. Grifola spp. (white) Pleurotus djamor (dark pink)
Clavulina spp. Grifola spp. (orange Pleurotus djamor (light pink)
white)
Clitocybe spp. Hericium erinaceus Pleurotus spp. (creamy-white)
Clitopilus spp. Leptonia sericella Pleurotus spp. (off-white)
Collybia confluens Lycoperdon pyriforme Pleurotus spp. (funnel shaped)
Coltricia perennis Lycoperdon spp. (white) Scleroderma spp.
Coltricia spp. Melanoleuca spp. Scleroderma spp. (black spored)
Coprinus comatus Morchella esculenta Scleroderma spp. (dark grey spored)
Coral fungi Nyctalis parasittica T. edista
20
Mushroom species Mushroom species Mushroom species

Cordyceps sinensis P. smithii Termitomyces spp.
Coriolus spp. Russula spp. (brown+ Trametes confragosa
purple)
Coriolus versicolor Russula spp. (green Tricholoma spp.
colour)
Daedalea spp. Russula spp. (grey Tricholoma sulphureum
colour)
Hericium spp. Schizophyllum commune Tuber
Hydnum spp. Ramaria cristata Volvariella diplacia
Hygrophorpsis spp. Russula atropurpurea Volvariella volvacea
Laccaria omethystea Russula foetens Xylaria polymorpha (dark grey and
hard)
Lactarius blennis Russula lutea X. polymorpha (grey-white)
Lactarius deliciosus Russula nigricans Xylaria spp. (black colour)
Lactarius rufus Russula spp. (red colour) Xylaria spp. (grey coloured and thin)
Lactarius spp. Russula spp. (white) Polyporus spp.
Lactarius tabidus Phellinus ignarius Polyporus squamosus
Lepiota margaoni Pleurotus cervinus Lepiota rhachodes
3.5. Udaipur Centre to NRCM, Solan. Some common

species are Agaricus spp., Pleurotus
A total of 400 species of wild spp., Phellorinia inguinans, Podaxis
fleshy fungi were collected during pistillaris, Auricularia polytricha,
1996- 2007 form different areas of Schizophyllum communae, Daldinia
Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Bundi, concentrica, Ramaria spp., Coprinus
Sirohi, Banswara, Chittorgarh, pieaceus, Polypore sulphureus,
Barmer, Jodhpur, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Tricholoma spp., Hericium
Pali, Dungarpur and Udaipur erinaceum, Auricularia spp.,
districts in rainy season. The Auricula judae, Pleurotus salmoneo
specimens of wild mushrooms were stramineus, Lepiota procera,
preserved in dry form; their cultures Ganoderma lucidum, Xylaria
along with database were deposited polymorpha, Calocybe spp.,
21
Lycoperdon spp., Volvariella important among them were

volvacea, Laitoporus spp., Inonotus Termitomyces spp., Volveriella
hispidus, Hydnellum scrobiculatum, volvacea, Pleurotus spp., Calocybe
Polypore spp., Podaxis pistillaris, indica and unidentified puffballs.
Phellinus igniarius, Piptoporus
betulinus, Pluteus cervinus, 3.7. Raipur Centre
Pleurotus ulmarius, Agaricus
trisulphureus, Agaricus compestris, The climatic conditions
Tricholoma equestre, Sclaroderma prevailing in Chhattisgarh make it
citrinum, Leucocoprinus spp., a natural habitat for a large number
Mycenia spp., Pisolithus spp. and of mushroom flora. The detailed
Volvariella volvacea. information pertaining to presence
of natural agaric flora in different
3.6. Faizabad Centre agroclimatic zones of Chhattisgarh
started accumulating with the
On this aspect work regarding inception of All India Coordinated
maintenance of cultures of Research Project on Mushroom in
experimental use, and collection, 1988 at IGAU, Raipur. The various
culturing and supply of mushroom fleshy fungi collected till date at
biodiversity has been done. A large Raipur Centre are presented in
number of naturally growing Table 7.
mushrooms were collected. The
Table 7: Fleshy fungi collected at Raipur Centre

Mushroom Habit and habitat Season Distribution Type (edible/
species non-edible)
Agrocybe erebia Sporophore in groups Rainy season Bilaspur Non-edible
on ground
Agrocybe spp. Sporophore in groups Rainy season Bilaspur Non-edible
or scattered in soil
Amanitopsis Growing singly on leaf Rainy season Barnavapara Edible
litter (August)
Amanita citrina Under shrubs Rainy season Bastar forest Poisonous
Amanita spp. Sporophore occurs on Rainy season Bastar forest Not known
the soil under shrubs
22

species non-edible)
Armillaria Sporophore growing Rainy season Raipur and Non-edible
mellea on deciduous stumps of Bilaspur
dead trunk of tree
Astreatus Scattered on the soil, Rainy season Forest area of Excellent
hygrometricus hypogeal mycorhizal (June - Oct.) Chhattisgarh
(Boda) association with root
of sal tree
Auricularia Solitary or gregarious Rainy season Chhattisgarh Edible
polytricha on dead wood and logs (June - Oct.)
Auricularia spp. On dead branches of Rainy season Raipur Edible
mango, custard apple, (June - Oct.)
subabool, gulmohar
Boletus spp. Sporophore solitary Rainy season Uddanti and Edible but
on sandy soil under Barnawapara not
dense shrubs Wild life consumed by
sanctuary of local people
Raipur
Bovista Sporophore scattered Rainy season Bilaspur Not known
appendicellata on leaf litter under the (June - Oct.)
shed of broad leaves trees
Calocybe spp. Sporophore solitary in Rainy season Ambikapur Edible
soil under broad leaves (June - Oct.) forest
trees
Clavatia Solitary or in groups Rainy season Forest area of Edible
cyantiformis on leaf litter of shrubs (June - Oct.) Korea District
Canthaerellus Sporophore in groups, Rainy season In all bamboo Edible
spp. (Bans mycorrhizal association (August) growing areas
phutu) with bamboo of
Chhattisgarh
Clavaria fumosa Sporophore grows in Rainy season Sitanadi Wild Not Known
groups on the ground Life Sanctuary
on fallen branches
23

species non-edible)
Clavaria spp. On wood in scattered Rainy season Tirathgarh, Non-edible
Narayanpur
Clitocybe Sporophore grows in Rainy season Tirathgarh, Poisonous
geostropa groups on leaf litter Chitrakut and
under the shrubs other places of
Bastar
Coprinus Gregarious in grassland Rainy season Chhattisgarh Edible
comatus and road side
(Shaggy cap)
Coprinus spp. Sporophore grows Rainy season Chhattisgarh Non-edible
(Ink cap) solitary or in groups
on cow dung, damp
soil, rotten paddy
straw heaps
Coriolus On dead wood Rainy season Narayanpur Medicinal or
versicolor therapeutic
value
Crepidotus Sporophore grows Rainy season Teerathgarh Not known
spp. solitary or in groups (August)
on dead wood of broad
leaves trees
Cyathus Sporophore grows Rainy season - Not Known
limbatus solitary or in groups
in open grass and same
times in the soil
Daldinia Dead wood logs or live Rainy season Teerathgarh, Not Known
concentrica plants Narayanpur
forest area
Flammulina On dead wood, mainly Rainy season Teerathgarh, Edible
spp. stumps Barnawapara,
Khajuri Nala
and Uddanti
Sanctuary
24

species non-edible)
Ganoderma Sporophore grows Rainy season All forest areas Non-edible
applanatum solitary or in groups of Chhattisgarh
on dead trunk of broad
leaves tree
Ganoderma Sporophore grows Rainy season All forest areas Non-edible
lucidum solitary or in groups (July - Oct.) of Chhattisgarh
on dead trunk of broad
leaves tree
Ganoderma Sporophore grows Rainy season Ambikapur, Non-edible
tsugae solitary or in groups Bastar and
Bilaspur
forest area
Geastrum Sporophore grows Rainy season Labhandi Non-edible
fimbriatum solitary or in groups research farm
(Earth stars) in soil
Hygrocybe Sporophore scattered Rainy season Churra, Not Known
marchee on grass land Gariabandh
and Manpur
area of Raipur
Hypholoma Sporophore grows in Rainy season Kevnchi, Lormi Not Known
udum groups on the trunk and Achanakmar
of deciduous tree forest
Hypoxylon Normally gregarious Rainy season Manpur, Sihava, Non-edible
fragiforme on rooting beech, grow Gariabandh forest
on wood, crust like
stromata
Laccaria laccata From soil of mixed Rainy season Chitrakut, Edible
forest, sporophore in Teeratgarh,
groups, singly or Narayanpur
scattered
Lactarius Solitary or in groups Rainy season Narayanpur Not known
acerrimus under broad leaves trees
25

species non-edible)
Lactarius Sporophore grows Rainy season Narayanpur Not known
vellereus singly in scattered
form under shrubs of
broad leaves
Lactarius spp. Grows alone on leaf Rainy season Narayanpur Not known
litter
Lentinus spp. Sporophore in bunches Rainy season Korea Edible
on dead wood logs
Lepista nuda In humus rich ground Rainy season Achanakmar, Good
under broad leaves Bilaspur
shrubs
Lycoperdon Sporophore solitary or Rainy season Sandy loam soil Edible
maximum scattered in grass land
Marasmius Sporophore gregarious Rainy season Bastar forest Edible
oreades in grass land
Melanoleuca Sporophore grows in Rainy season Barnawa forest Non-edible
alboflavida soil or in leaf litter area
Microglossum On the ground in grass Rainy season Narayanpur Non-edible
viridae or woods
Mutinus spp. Sporophore in group Rainy season Bamboo Poisonous
under shade of old rhizomes near
bamboo trees Bilaspur area
Panaiolima Gregarious in grassy Rainy season Achanakmar, Non-edible
foenislcic areas Korea, Bilaspur
Phallorina spp. Sporophore solitary or Rainy season Guru Ghasidas Edible
in groups on soil under University,
the trees Bilaspur
Pleurotus Sporophore grows Rainy season Narayanpur Edible
florida (Pihri) solitary or in groups area
on mango logs
Pleurotus sajor- Sporophore in groups Rainy season Branches of Edible
caju on dead wood logs mango trees
26

species non-edible)
Pleurotus Sporophore in groups Rainy season Raipur Edible
stramonius on dead branches of
mango
Pleurotus spp. Sporophore in groups Rainy season Bilaspur Edible
on dry wood logs of
trees
Podbrella On soil in solitary or Rainy season Nandghat, Not Known
microcarpa in groups Bilaspur
Podaxis spp. Sporophore solitary Rainy season Tarra village Edible
and grows on sandy
soil
Podoscypha Sandy loam in solitary Rainy season Nilanjee Non-edible
mutzonata
Polyporus Sporophore in groups Rainy season All districts Not Known
varius on dead wood of Chhattisgarh
Polyporus On dead wood Rainy season Bilaspur Non-edible
elegans
Ramaria On wood logs of many Rainy season Narayanpur Non-edible
formosa trees
Russula delica Sporophore grows Rainy season Chhattisgarh Edible
solitary or in groups
under shade of forest
shrubs
Russula lepida Under broad leaves Rainy season Chhattisgarh Edible
trees in soil, scattered
Russula In groups under sal Rainy season Chhattisgarh Edible
aeruginea forest
Russula Under broad leaves Rainy season Bastar, Edible
atropurpurea trees specialy in acidic Bilaspur
soil
Russula mairei Under shrubs or Rainy season Achanakma, Non-edible
mixed forest Barnawapara
27

species non-edible)
Russula Under shrubs or Rainy season Achanakma, Edible
virginca mixed forest Barnawapara
Rozites caperata Under broad leaves Rainy season Korea, Non-edible
trees on leaf litter Manendragarh
Scleroderma Sporophore grows Rainy season Labhandi farm Edible
verucosum solitary or in groups
(Dhela phutu) in letrite soil
Scleroderma Sporophore grows Rainy season Bastar Edible
spp. singly or gregarious
in the ground
Stereum spp. Sporophore on dead Rainy season Korea, Non-edible
wood of broad leaves Ambikapur,
trees Pendra, Marvahi
Stropharia Sporophore grows Rainy season Bilaspur, Not known
semiglobata on soil and either Ratanpur,
solitary or gregarious Pali, Kathghora
forest
3.8. Vellayani Centre The other isolates of Pleurotus eous,

P. squarrosulus, Ganoderma,
The cultures of strains of Schizophyllum, Termitomyces,
Calocybe indica were deposited in Auricularia, Tricholoma etc. are
the National Mushroom Culture being preserved in the laboratory of
Bank at NRCM, Solan for which the AICRP Centre, Vellayani (Fig.
accession numbers were obtained. 12).
Fig. 12. Locally collected Pleurotus varieties at Vellayani
28
3.9. Ranchi Centre Table 8: Fleshy fungi collected at

Ranchi Centre
The surveys were conducted Common Name Scientific Name
during the monsoon season in Oyster mushroom Pleurotus spp.
Ranchi and Hazaribagh. The fleshy
Bada Khukhri Macrolepiota spp.
fungi listed in Table 8 were collected Termitomyces spp.
and wet preserved.
Rugra Lycoperdon spp.
Button mushroom Agaricus spp.
Jamum Khukhri Boletus spp.
Milky mushroom Calocybe spp.
Medicinal mushroom Ganoderma spp.
Namak Khukhri Termitomyces spp.
Bansh Khukhri Lentinula spp.
Pagla Khukhri Volvariella spp.
29
4. REGION SPECIFIC MUSHROOM VARIETIES
4.1. Ludhiana Centre yield (84.6 kg/q dry substrate)

followed by P. florida.
At present, four mushroom
varieties namely, Agaricus bisporus, In Agaricus bisporus, strains, P-
Calocybe indica, Pleurotus spp. and 1, NCS-12 (NCS-101), U-3, Pant-
Volvariella spp. have been 31, CM-9, CM-7 and CM-13 have
recommended for round the year shown higher yield potential in
cultivation in the State . In addition, different evaluation trials. Till
work on other mushrooms like, date strain, CM-9 with yield level
Ganoderma lucidum, Hypsizygus of 18.63 kg/q compost has shown
ulmarius and Lentinula edodes is the highest potential followed by
also being undertaken. CM-7 (17.18 kg/q compost), P-1
(16.49 kg/q compost) and CM-13
4.2. Pune Centre (15.80 kg/q compost) (Fig. 13).
Pleurotus sajor- caju followed by

P. florida are the most suitable
species of oyster mushroom for
cultivation in Maharashtra
during monsoon and winter
season.
Agaricus bitorquis strain NCB-6

could be successfully grown
under natural conditions (22 to
26oC) during monsoon season
under Pune conditions. Fig. 13. Button mushroom crop raised at
Pune Centre
Amongst different oyster The temperature tolerant strains
mushroom species, Pleurotus of Agricus bitorquis, NCB-6 and
sajor- caju has given the highest NCB-13 recorded the yield of 9.28
30
and 8.48 kg/q compost at ambient and CI-5.

temperature conditions (22 to
26oC), respectively. 4.3. Coimbatore Centre
Out of 9 strains of milky The various mushroom varieties

mushroom, only 5 strains fructify released by the Centre for the benefit
and of which strain, CI-1 of the mushroom growers of Tamil
recorded highest mushroom yield Nadu are listed in Table 9 and some
of 25.5 kg/q dry straw. Next best of the oyster mushroom varieties
strain was CI-3 followed by CI-4 released are shown in Figure 14.
Table 9: Varieties released by Coimbatore Centre
Mushroom Colour Strain Year
Oyster mushroom, Pure white CO-1 1986
Pleurotus citrinopileatus
P. eous Pink APK-1 1995
P. djamor White MDU-1 1996
P. flabellatus White MDU-2 2000
P. ostreatus Ashy white Ooty-1 1998
P. sajor-caju Ash M-2 1980
P. florida White PF 1989
Hypsizygus ulmarius Bluish white CO-2 2004
Milky mushroom, Milky white APK-2 1998
Calocybe indica
Button mushroom, White Ooty-1 2001
Agaricus bisporus
Pleurotus florida- PF P. eous - APK 1 Hypsizygus ulmarius - CO2
Fig. 14. Oyster mushroom varieties released by Coimbatore Centre
31
4.4. Pantnagar Centre
In Uttarakhand, three
mushroom species are cultivated
round the year by the growers . They
are as under:
Button mushroom (Agaricus

bisporus) during the months of
October-February.
Fig. 15. Button mushroom crop raised at
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus Faizabad Centre
sajor-caju) during the months of
the February-April and August-
October.
Milky mushroom (Calocybe

indica) during the months of
April-June and July-September.
4.5. Faizabad Centre
Species and strains of different

mushrooms performing better in
eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions Fig. 16. Milky mushroom crop suiting to
are mentioned below: Faizabad conditions
Agaricus bisporus - CM-3, CM-13 Volvariella volvacea - strains

and S-11 (Fig.15) Vv-3, Vv-2, Vv-12 and Vv-8
Pleurotus florida, P. sajor-caju, P. 4.6. Raipur Centre

sajor-caju hybrid strain-1 and
Hypsizygus ulmarius Indira Gandhi Agricultural
University, Raipur under All India
Calocybe indica - strains CI-7, CI- Coordinated Research Project on
6, CI-1 and APK-2 (Fig. 16) Mushroom released a variety of
32
oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida)

NMS-7 strain as Indira Sweta (OM-
1) in the year 2006 for commercial
cultivation throughout the state of
Chhattisgarh. The climatic
conditions of Chhattisgarh state suit
for the cultivation of oyster, milky
and paddy straw mushrooms, as
these mushroom varieties are easy
to cultivate and need paddy straw
substrate which is available in plenty. Fig. 17. Pleurotus florida crop at
Button mushroom can also be grown Vellayani Centre
but only for a limited period (winter)
of the year. Collection of mushrooms rapidly gaining popularity.
from forest areas for their Auricularia polytricha can also be
consumption is also very popular in cultivated successfully using paddy
the state. straw and mango wood chips as the
substrate. Paddy straw mushroom,
4.7. Vellayani Centre Volvariella volvacea also carries
excellent scope in Kerala, being
Ananthan, an interstock hybrid having humid & tropical/sub-
of Pleurotus petaloides developed at tropical climatic conditions.
the AICRPM, Vellayani Centre was
released by the Kerala State 4.8. Udaipur Centre
Government and is widely acclaimed
by the mushroom growers of the The subtropical and tropical
state. A native strain of Pleurotus varieties of mushrooms like oyster
florida is giving excellent yield and milky mushroom are popular in
through out the year and is very the region. Button mushroom is also
popular among the growers (Fig. 17). being grown but during very limited
Eight native sub species of Pleurotus period of the year. There are some
have also been domesticated. big farms that are growing button
mushroom throughout the year by
A tropical milky mushroom using environment controlled
Calocybe indica has been identified facilities. The region is rich in
to be well suited to Kerala and is mushroom biodiversity and
33
collection and comsumption of wild button and shiitake mushrooms are

mushroom is also common in the more popular. The area has great
state. scope of mushroom cultivation
considering varied type of agro-
4.9. Ranchi Centre climatic conditions prevailing in the
region.
The area represented by the
Ranchi Centre is rich in biodiversity 4.11. Nauni Centre
and tropical and subtropical
mushroom species are being grown The important mushrooms of the
in the area. The important region are the button mushroom and
mushroom species are Pleurotus oyster mushroom. Button
spp., Calocybe indica and Volvariella mushroom is grown for 6 months
spp. Button mushroom is not much under seasonal growing conditions
popular in this region. and round the year under
environment-controlled conditions.
4.10. Barapani Centre Oyster mushroom is grown from
March to May and then October to
The area is again rich from December.
biodiversity point of view and oyster,
34
5. TECHNOLOGIES GENERATED
In order to enhance mushroom condition, followed by coir pith +

production in the country, FYM (1:1) (12.87 kg/q compost).
continuous research efforts have
been made on management practices The leaching of casing material
through evolving newer for 16h gave higher button
formulations, supplementations, mushroom yield of 13.35 kg /q
chemical sprays and the use of compost as compared to leaching
growth promoters. The mushroom of casing material for 8 h at Pune.
productivity has also been increased
through strain selection and their At Pune, spraying of 0.2 %
development using genetic solution of calcium chloride on
techniques. As a result, different button mushroom beds gave
mushroom varieties are successfully higher button mushroom yield of
cultivated round the year by the 12.00 kg/q compost.
mushroom growers of different
Mixing of “Phosphotika”
regions in India.
biofertilizer @ 0.5 & 1.0 % at the
5.1. Button mushroom time of spawning in compost gave
highest button mushroom yield
The highest yield of button of 12.51 kg/q compost in
mushroom (14.81 kg/q compost) Maharashtra region. Strain U-3
was obtained from wheat straw showed better response with
based compost followed by “Phosphotika” biofertilizer.
soybean straw based compost
(10.31 kg/q compost) at Pune. The spray of 0.15% solution of
Veradix-2 (rooting hormone, IBA)
The use of coir pith alone as at pinning stage recorded higher
casing material gave highest button mushroom yield of 13.61
button mushroom yield (13.62 kg/q compost at Pune Centre.
kg/q compost) under Pune
35
Strain, NCS -1 of Agaricus compost prepared with 1:2

bisporus continued to be the best combination of sugarcane
strain suitable to Coimbatore bagasse and wheat straw.
conditions (13.85 kg of fresh Highest number of fruiting
mushroom/q of compost). bodies were also recorded in
wheat straw compost, whereas
FYM + loam soil was found to be average individual fruiting body
the best casing material in case weight was higher in sugarcane
of A. bisporus and A. bitorquis for baggasse + wheat straw (1:2)
Tamil Nadu region. based compost.
Strain, S-11 of Agaricus bisporus Highest number of fruiting
yielded 10.17 to 10.84 kg of bodies were obtained in formalin
mushroom/q of paddy straw + DDVP (15 ml + 0.5 g/10 kg
compost, prepared by LMC in compost) treated compost,
Coimbatore region. It took 10 followed by DDVP (15 ml + 0.5
days for spawn run and 12 days g/10 kg compost) and bavistin
for pinning. alone (0.5 g/10 kg compost) over
control at Coimbatore Centre.
A. bitorquis (NCB-6) gave 10.6 kg
of mushrooms/q of compost in Highest button mushroom yield
paddy straw compost prepared by was obtained on casing the
LMC under Coimbatore mycelial colonized substrate with
conditions. the casing material prepared with
FYM+spent compost+soil+
At Coimbatore, highest average sand in the ratio 1:1:1:1, followed
fruiting body weight was recorded by FYM+burnt rice husk (1:10),
in strain, Pant-52 (12.74 g) vermi compost+ loam soil (1:1),
followed by NCS-145 (12.69 g), spent compost and farm yard
U-3 (11.84 g), Pant-31 (11.50 g) manure at Coimbatore Centre.
and MS-30 (11.27 g).
Compost formulation with
Compost prepared by using only sugarcane baggase+wheat straw
wheat straw as base material was (2:1) resulted in reduced cost of
found better for Coimbatore cultivation of Agaricus bisporus
conditions as compared to under Pantnagar condition.
36
Chemical treatment method of Agaricus bisporus strains, NCS-

long method compost (Formalin 11 and MS- 39 can be easily
15 ml + Bavistin 0.5 g/10 kg grown under natural climatic
compost) was developed by conditions from October to March
Pantnagar Centre to effectively in Udaipur region (Fig. 18). The
control competitor/parasitic strain MS- 39 yielded large size
moulds in cultivation of A. fruiting bodies (7-8 cm) with an
bisporus. average yield of 14.52 kg/q of
compost. The strain NCS- 11 has
Siderophore producing small sized fruiting bodies (2-4
Pseudomonads have been cm) and gave an average
screened out by Pantnagar mushroom yield of 13.74 kg/q of
Centre for getting early fruiting compost, while the strain NCS-
and enhanced yield of A. 6 has medium size fruiting
bisporus. bodies (5-7 cm) with average yield
of 13.72 kg/q of compost.
Button mushroom strain, CM-10
gave highest mushroom yield of In casing materials, 2 years old
17.69 kg/q of compost followed by spent compost, FYM + spent
CM-5 (15.09 kg/q), U-3 (14.36 kg/ compost (1:1, v/v) and FYM + soil
q), and S-11 (14.35 kg/q) under + sand + spent compost (1:1:1:1,
Udaipur condition. Average v/v) out yielded the other casing
individual fruiting body weight treatments under Udaipur
was obtained highest in strain condition.
CM-10 (19.76 g), followed by CM-
3 (19.34 g), S-130 (16.46 g), U-3 Highest number of fruiting
(16.50 g) and least was in S-11 bodies were harvested in casing
strain. material prepared with FYM
(1041/ q of compost) and lowest
In Agaricus bitorquis strains, in FYM + garden soil (1:1). The
NCB-6, NCB-1 and NCB-2 were fruiting bodies harvested from
found as high yielding strains FYM + garden soil (1:1) were of
with good quality characteristics highest weight (29.25 g/fruit
and taste suitable for Udaipur body).
region.
37
Fig. 18. Button mushroom crop raised at Udaipur
At Udaipur, the long method button mushroom yield of 25 kg/

compost treated with DDVP + q compost and was followed by
bavistin gave higher button casing material prepared with
mushroom yield. FYM + spent compost (24.50 kg/
q compost).
Agaricus bisporus strains, NCS-
100 and NCH-102 were found to Supplementation of compost
be the superior strains for with cotton seed cake and cotton
Chhattisgarh state. seed meal at the time of spawning
stimulated highest fungal
Compost inoculated with mixed population in compost and
inoculum of Gilmaniella Penicillium spp. was the most
humicola + Scytalidium predominant fungal species in
thermophilum + Thermomyces the compost.
lanuginosus at the time of
spawning enhanced the button Supplementation of compost
mushroom yield by 21.30% over with cotton seed meal, sesame
other treatments under Nauni meal and cotton seed cake
condition. enhanced the button mushroom
yield in Nauni region.
At Nauni, casing material
prepared with mixture of farm Supplementation of compost
yard manure + spent compost + with peptone, glucose and malt
vermicompost gave highest extract led to maximum
38
contamination from Penicillium supplementation treatments in

chrysogenum, Penicillium Pleurotus sajor-caju and P.
coryophilum, Rhizopus florida. Supplementation of
nigricans, Sepedonium substrate with 4% rice bran also
chrysospermum and Mucor gave good yield of 71.5 kg/q dry
racemosus under Nauni substrate.
condition.
In case of Pleurotus sajor-caju,
Strain, CM-14 of button significantly higher yield (48.9
mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) kg/q dry straw) was obtained on
performed better than other spraying 0.1 M K 2 HPO 4 on
strains and mushroom yield of mushroom beds. In P. florida the
16.2 % was recorded at Barapani. effect of K2HPO4 and water spray
were comparable. In both the
5.2. Oyster mushroom species spray of urea gave lower
mushroom yield.
Wheat straw supplemented with
soybean flour is recommended for In case of Pleurotus florida,
getting higher yield of oyster spraying of 0.1 M K 2HPO 4 at
mushroom for Maharashtra pinhead formation stage
region. increased the mushroom yield by
40 g per bed compared to control
The hot water treatment of the under Coimbatore condition.
substrate gave higher yield of
oyster mushroom (72.0 kg/q dry The yield potential of Blue oyster
substrate) than other two mushroom, Hypsizygus ulmarius
methods of substrate var. CO-2 (oyster mushroom) was
pasteurization (chemical and compared with that of P. florida.
solar pasteurization) under The CO-2 (oyster mushroom)
Pune condition. recorded significantly superior
yield of 620 g / bed (BE-124 %) at
At Pune, supplementation of Coimbatore Centre.
substrate with 2% deoiled
soybean meal (dry weight basis) All Pleurotus spp. viz., Pleurotus
gave highest oyster mushroom citrinopileatus, P. sajor-caju, P.
yield of 73.3 kg/q dry substrate as florida, P. platypus and P.
compared to other solmoneostramineus can be
39
cultivated through out the year (15.5 %) at Coimbatore Centre

under Tamil Nadu conditions. (Fig. 19). In all the cases, time
Among the different species taken for spawn run (days) was
tested, P. solmoneo straminues also reduced considerably (2-6
recorded highest mushroom yield days). Supplementation rate of
with highest bioefficiency during 5% was found better than 2 per
the month of November. cent.
At Coimbatore, paddy straw or Chemical sterilization of paddy

paddy straw + paper clippings straw substrate with 75 ppm
was the most favoured substrate carbendazim + 500 ppm
for P. citrinopileatus, P. sajor-caju formalin increased the yield of P.
and P. platypus, followed by either citrinopileautus by 38 per cent
cotton waste or sorghum stalks. over control, while no significant
P. platypus recorded higher yield difference between chemical
in all the substrates than the sterilization and hot water
other two species. treatment was recorded with P.
sajor-caju under Coimbatore
Supplementation of paddy straw condition.
substrate with powdered, steam
sterilized neem cake @ 5 % Supplementation of substrate
increased the yield of P. with mixture of neem
citrinopileatus (26.2 %), P. sajor- cake+wheat straw+rice bran+
caju (23.5 %) and P. platypus soybean meal @ 2% is
recommended for Pleurotus
species cultivation in
Uttarakhand region.
Pleurotus sajor-caju and P.

florida have been recommended
by Pantnagar Centre for
commercial cultivation by using
locally available soybean straw or
paddy straw or wheat straw or
mustard straw or mandua straw
Fig. 19. Pleurotus sajor-caju crop at or jhnagora straw.
Coimbatore Centre
40
Cultivation technology of straw in Rajasthan with 57.80%

Hypsizygus ulmarius has been biological efficiency as compared
standardized by using wheat to 45.60 % with Pleurotus florida
straw supplemented with wheat and 53.87% with Pleurotus sajor-
bran substrate. caju. Regarding the average
number of mushroom fruiting
Four per cent rice bran bodies, highest number was
supplementation gave highest recorded in Hypsizygus ulmarius
yield of Pleurotus sajor-caju and (185) followed by Pleurotus
Pleurotus citrinopileatus under florida (129.5) and least in
Udaipur condition. Pleurotus sajor-caju (93.05).
Pleurotus fossulatus and Dipping of oyster mushroom
Pleurotus florida were beds in 0.4 and 0.6 % solutions
successfully grown on wheat of effective microorganisms
straw substrate and P. florida significantly enhanced the
gave highest mushroom yield mushroom yield by 50 % or even
(96.67 kg/ q dry substrate) with more in several experiments
96.66 % biological efficiency, under Raipur condition.
followed by P. fossulatus with the
Out of several locally available
yield of 88.60 kg/q dry substrate
substrates tried for oyster
(88.60% biological efficiency).
mushroom cultivation under
Regarding average number and
Chhattisgarh conditions, paddy
average weight of fruiting bodies;
straw, wheat straw, soybean and
P. fossulatus produced lowest
mustard straw performed
number (56.40), where as
exceedingly well in almost all the
highest number of fruiting
trials conducted.
bodies were produced (65.53) by
P. florida. Average fruiting body Of several species of Pleurotus
weight was higher (15.69 g) in P. tried, the performance of P.
fossulatus as compared to P. florida and P. flabellatus was
florida (4.75 g) at Udaipur excellent both under
Centre. experimental as well as farmers
growing conditions at Raipur.
Blue oyster mushroom Among strains of P. florida, local
(Hypsizygus ulmarius) was strain spp. 26 was better than P.
successfully grown on wheat florida spp. 29.
41
Of three methods of substrate Red banana pseudostem, mango

treatment evaluated, hot water wood chips and Eleocharis
treatment followed by chemical plantagenia, a wet land weed
treatment of straw were effective were recorded as the promising
in suppressing the contaminants ones.
and increasing the yield of
Pleurotus spp. under Raipur An improvised air cooling system
condition. was developed by Vellayani
Centre for speedy sporocarp
Spawning of oyster mushroom induction in dormant beds of
substrate @ 5% was better than oyster mushroom during the
3% in several trials laid out by cropping phase.
Raipur Centre, while layer
spawning method was found to be Low cost technology for spawn
more effective than thorough production using cheap
mixing and spot methods. substrates like match work
waste, potato blended gravel etc.
At Raipur, hollow beds resulted was developed at Vellayani
in substantial increase in yield of Centre.
different species of Pleurotus
probably due to increase in Techniques were standardised
aeration and proper wetting of for blending coconut endosperm
the inner surface of the milk in culture media for
substrate. Chopping of straw in enhanced growth and biomass
the length of 6-9" was extremely
helpful in yield enhancement of
Pleurotus spp. than straw length
of 3", may be due to increased air
space, surface area and effective
penetration of water.
In Kerala, locally available

alternative substrates were
identified and their processing
technology was also standardised
for bringing down the cost of Fig. 20. Pleurotus sajor-caju crop at
cultivation of oyster mushroom. Vellayani Centre
42
production of Pleurotus under supplementation @ 2 % (w/w) is

Vellayani condition (Fig. 20). recommended for higher
mushroom yield for Ranchi
Coir pith could be conveniently region.
converted into an organic
manure using three different Spray of mushroom beds with 0.1
mushroom species namely M solution of K 2 HPO 4
Pleurotus eous, Schizophyllus significantly increased the yield
commune for retted and non of P. sajor-caju at Ranchi Centre.
retted coir pith and Pleurotus
sajor-caju for non retted coir pith Among different oyster
alone. Conversion of this waste myshroom species, highest yield
material into an organic manure per q dry straw was recorded in
is a boon to the farmers of Kerala Hypsizygus ulmarius (223.2 kg),
and spawn of these varieties Pleurotus florida (181.4 kg) and
exclusively meant for coir pith Pleurotus sajor-caju (172.5 kg).
decomposition is available at the Thus only two species viz.,
Centre. Hypsizygus ulmarius and
Pleurotus florida (Fig. 21) can be
Supplementation @ 2 % with successfully cultivated during
wheat bran significantly winter season in Ranchi.
enhanced the yield in P. florida
(48.3 %), P. sajor-caju (44.9 %) Supplementation of substrate @
and in P. ostreatus (48.1 %) over 5% with wheat bran or rice bran
control. Hence, wheat bran gave higher mushroom yield over
Fig. 21. High yielding oyster mushroom suiting Ranchi condition
43
control under Barapani

condition.
In Barapani, spraying treatment

with 0.1 % urea gave significantly
higher yield in oyster mushroom,
Pleurotus florida.
Average yield of 67 % was

recorded in Blue oyster
mushroom (Hypsizygus
Fig. 22. Paddy straw mushroom crop at
ulmarius) at Barapani Centre. Coimbatore Centre
5.3. Paddy straw mushroom

Bed size measuring 45 cm
Supplementation of paddy straw diameter and 30 cm height
with cotton waste and neem recorded the highest mushroom
leaves @ 5 % enhanced the yield of 982 g / bed (19.64 percent
mushroom yield and the bioefficiency) with more number
technique is suitable under of harvestable buttons (55.4)
Coimbatore conditions. compared to other bed
dimensions in Coimbatore
At Coimbatore, paddy straw region.
soaked for 18 h in cold water
recorded highest mushroom yield Among different strains of V.
compared to 48 h and 24 h of volvacea, strain PS-1 recorded
soaking. Soaking of paddy straw highest mushroom yield of 1263
beyond 24 h was not favourable g / bed (bio-efficiency of 25.3 %)
for cultivation of V. volvacea. followed by Vv-7 and PS-2 (23.8
% and 23.7 % bio efficiency,
Circular compact beds gave respectively) in Tamil Nadu
significantly higher mushroom condition.
yield of 1020 g / bed (22.5 per cent
bio-efficiency) of V. volvacea at Amendment of the substrate
Coimbatore Centre (Fig. 22). with cotton waste followed by
44
neem cake and chicken manure was obtained at Barapani Centre.

increased the yield of Volvariella The Centre followed bed system
volvacea by 46, 33 and 30 per of growing for cultivating paddy
cent, respectively over control at straw mushroom (Fig. 23).
Coimbatore.
Paddy straw bundles put in a

spiral fashion on a wooden pillar
or cemented pillar were found to
enhance the yield to a great
extent in paddy straw mushroom
at Raipur. Frame method of
paddy straw mushroom
cultivation also performed better
than standard bed method of
cultivation. Fig. 23. Bed system of growing paddy
straw mushroom at Barapani
At Raipur, partially composted 5.4. Milky mushroom
cotton waste substrate was found
to be the most suitable substrate Among 16 different wild strains
for cultivation of paddy straw of C. indica evaluated for their
mushroom, followed by paddy yield potential at Coimbatore,
straw substrate. strain WC-19 gave significantly
superior yield compared to all
Strains, Vv-7, Vv-9 and Vv-11 of other strains.
(Volvariella volvacea) performed Among different strains obtained
better than other strains and from NRCM, Solan (CI-1 to CI-
mushroom yield of 13.88 %, 15.8 9), the strain CI-1, CI-7 and CI-8
% and 12.66 % were recorded, gave higher yield of 520 g, 505 g
respectively in Ranchi condition. and 490 g per bed, respectively
under Coimbatore condition.
Strain, Vv-6 of paddy straw
mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) The superior mushroom yield of
performed better than other above 172% biological efficiency
strains and mushroom yield of was recorded in all strains of
10.8 % biological efficiency (BE) milky mushroom (Fig. 24).
45
APK-2 (72.8 %). However, the

strains, CI-6 and CI-7 were at par
with each other but significantly
different from other strains.
Thus strains, CI-6, CI-7 and APK-
2 were better-suited strains in
respect to fruiting body quality
and yield in Jharkhand.
5.5. Black ear mushroom

Fig. 24. Milky mushroom crop at
Coimbatore Centre Supplementation of wheat straw
substrate with 2% wheat bran +
Cultivation of Calocybe indica 2% rice bran was found effective
was standardized at Pantnagar by in increasing yield of black ear
using wheat straw as the mushroom at Pune.
substrate and casing with
FYM+spent compost+sand Supplementation with 4% rice
(2:1:1) based casing material. bran, followed by 2% rice bran
and 2% wheat bran favoured the
Udaipur Centre also developed a good yield of black ear mushroom
simple cultivation technology of at Coimbatore.
Calocybe indica and highest
mushroom yield was recorded in Five local isolates of Auricularia
strain, CI-6 on wheat straw were examined and
substrate. characterized at Pantnagar.
At Raipur, wheat straw substrate Cultivation of Auricularia

alone and in combination with polytricha was standardized at
paddy straw in the ratio of 1:1 Pantnagar using sterilized wheat
gave good yield of milky straw supplemented with 5%
mushroom. wheat bran substrate (Fig. 25).
The highest biological efficiency At Pantnagar, the wheat

was recorded in strain, CI-6 (107 decoction agar medium, pH 6.5
%) followed by CI-7 (88.9 %), CI- and temperature 25±2°C
1 (80.2 %), CI-3 (73.8 %) and favoured the optimum growth of
Auricularia.
46
with mushroom yield of 156.7 kg/

q dry straw.
Silver oak saw dust

supplemented with 8% wheat
bran was found to be the best
substrate for the cultivation of
Auricularia polytricha with an
average yield of 81.17 kg/q of
substrate under Tamil Nadu
condition.
Fig. 25. Black ear mushroom grown at
Pantnagar
5.6. Shiitake mushroom
Paddy straw, followed by
The Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA)
rapeseed straw were found to be
medium, pH 5.0 and temperature
the most suitable substrate for
25°C favoured optimum growth
higher yield of Auricularia in
of Lentinula edodes at Pantnagar.
Uttarakhand region.
Cultivation of Lentinula edodes
The cultivation technology for
was standardized at Pantnagar
Jelly mushroom (Auricularia
polytricha) has been
standardized at Udaipur Centre
with highest yield (51.73 kg/q dry
substrate) on wheat straw
supplemented with 10% wheat
bran substrate.
Wheat bran supplementation @

4 % on dry weight basis was found
to be suitable substrate for good
growth and higher yield of
Auricularia polytricha in Raipur
condition.
Black ear Mushroom was Fig. 26. Shiitake mushroom grown at

successfully grown in Ranchi Pantnagar
47
on wheat straw and popular 5.7. Medicinal mushroom

sawdust substrates with 20%
supplementation of wheat bran Of ten isolates of Ganoderma
(Fig. 26). collected at Pantnagar, three
were examined, and
Two isolates of L. edodes were biochemically and molecularly
examined and characterized characterized.
biochemically at Pantnagar
Centre. Cultivation technology of
Ganoderma lucidum was
Cultivation technology of standardized at Pantnagar by
shiitake mushroom (Lentinula using sterilized wheat straw
edodes) was also developed with substrate supplemented with 5%
good biological efficiency under wheat bran (Fig. 27). The Malt
Udaipur condition. Extract Agar (MEA) medium, pH
5-6 and temperature range of
Silver oak saw dust+wheat bran 26±2°C recorded highest growth
(20 %) was found to be the best of Ganoderma lucidum.
substrate for cultivation of
Lentinula edodes under
Coimbatore condition. An
average yield of 231 g/bed and an
average number of 10.7 fruiting
bodies/bed were obtained, each
fruiting body weighed
approximately 21.7 g.
At Coimbatore, silver oak saw

dust+wheat bran (8 %) and
tapioca thippi+wheat bran (4 %) Fig. 27. Commercial cultivation of
gave the highest yield of 78.5 kg Ganoderma at Pantnagar
and 73.05 kg/q of substrate,
respectively. The average weight The presence of polysaccharides
of the fruiting body in these and Ganoderic acids A, C2 and H
substrates ranged from 3.8 to 4.2 was examined and extracted from
g. the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum.
48
Antioxidative properties were

also examined among different
isolates of G. lucidum at
Pantnagar Centre.
At Raipur, saw dust and wheat

straw substrates took 30-35 days
for spawn run of G. lucidum and
fruiting body initiation was
observed after 8-10 days of spawn
run completion.
Ganoderma lucidum local

strains, Chinese strains and
Udaipur strains were Fig. 28. Growth of Cordyceps at
successfully evaluated at Raipur Pantnagar Centre
Centre.
5.9. Post harvest technology
5.8. Keera ghas/ Yarsha gumboo
(Cordyceps sinensis) Acceptable white colour of button
mushroom was retained in
Cultural growth of Cordyceps was dipping treatment of 200 ppm
found to be initially white to light and 75 ppm EDTA and by storing
cream and it changed into orange under ambient and refrigerated
or pink to light purple and conditions, respectively at Pune
reverse purplish red or dark tan Centre.
or blood red colour on different
media (Fig. 28). On storage under refrigerated
conditions, dipping treatment of
The SDYA medium and pH 6.0 100 ppm EDTA and 100 ppm
favoured the highest growth of EDTA + 0.02% KMS helped in
Cordyceps. retention of good milky white
colour of button mushroom upto
Antioxidative properties were 48 h. However, at ambient
determined from the fruiting temperature in Pune, desired
bodies of Cordyceps sinensis. colour was retained only in 100
49
ppm EDTA + 0.02% KMS thickness (with 10 pinholes)

treatment upto 48 h. helped in retaining good quality
upto 48 h of storage. Not much
The acceptable white colour of difference was noticed between
button mushroom was retained PP and PE bags with respect to
upto 48 h on packaging change in colour and weight loss.
mushrooms in 100 gauge PP However, storage under
bags without holes followed by refrigerated condition reduced
storage at both refrigerated and percent veil opening compared to
ambient temperature at Pune. storage at ambient condition at
However, the acceptable white Coimbatore.
colour was retained upto 48 h
only on packaging mushrooms in The whiteness of button
100 gauge PP bags with hole mushroom strain, MS-39 (S-11)
followed by storage at could be retained up to 11 days
refrigerated condition. However, by giving a dipping treatment of
performance of 100 gauge PP and 75, 125 and 200 ppm EDTA and
100 gauge PE bags were more or 0.05 % potassium meta
less comparable. bisulphite (KMS) and on storage
at refrigerated temperature
Dipping treatment of button (10°C), while at ambient
mushroom fruiting bodies (strain temperature, whiteness was
S-11) in 125 ppm EDTA solution retained only for a day under
increased the shelf life and Udaipur condition. Veil-opening
maintained good colour and did not occur up to 9 days of
texture on storage both under storage in refrigerated
refrigerated and ambient temperature (10°C), while it
temperature up to 72h. The gill increased upto 15 days of storage
opening in stored mushrooms in refrigerator along with dipping
ranged from 16 to 40 % and it treatment of 75, 125 and 200
increased with increase in ppm EDTA and 0.05 % potassium
storage time in Coimbatore meta bisulphite (KMS). At
condition. ambient temperature, veils
opened after first day in case of
Packaging of button mushroom 75, 125 and 200 ppm EDTA
strain S-11 in either PP or PE washed mushrooms, while in
bags of 100 to 125 gauge 0.05 % KMS washed mushrooms
50
veils did not open upto second day Blanching of oyster mushroom
of storage. (Pleurotus florida) for 2 min in
0.2 % salt+0.1 % citric acid
The whiteness of button solution before drying and
mushroom could be increased storage (for 3 months) slightly
with dipping treatment in 100 improved the whiteness. Direct
ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm and 500 sun drying or cabinet drying with
ppm EDTA and 100 ppm EDTA out chemical treatment or
+ 0.02% KMS over unwashed blanching kept superior
mushroom. At ambient brittleness after 3 months of
temperature storage in Udaipur, storage.
whiteness was less as compared
to storage at 5°C in 150, 200, 500 Sun drying method was found
ppm EDTA and 100 ppm EDTA best for drying of Pleurotus sajor-
+ 0.02 % KMS washed caju in comparison to cabinet
mushrooms. drying, unblanched and
blanched methods (Fig. 29).
Button mushroom fruiting
bodies could be well preserved up
to 3 days under ambient
temperature at Raipur and 11-16
days under refrigerated
conditions after giving a dipping
treatment in 200 ppm and 500
ppm solutions of EDTA and KMS,
respectively.
Fig. 29. Oyster mushroom dried by two

different methods
51
6. CROPPING SYSTEM RESEARCH
6.1. Ludhiana Centre being followed by the mushroom

growers in Punjab for cultivation of
A round the year cultivation cycle mushrooms under natural indoor
recommended by the Punjab environmental conditions.
Agricultural University (Fig. 30) is
Fig. 30. Round the year cultivation of mushrooms
52
6.2. Pune Centre found to be higher yielding than

other species.
Wheat straw compost was found
better than paddy straw compost Cotton stalks and leaves recorded
for growing Agaricus bisporus. significantly higher yield of
oyster mushroom (82.4 kg /q dry
Intial N level of 1.5 % in the substrate), followed by paddy and
compost was proved to be wheat straw yielding (72.1 &
optimum for getting higher yield 71.7 kg/q of substrate),
of A. bisporus (S-11). respectively.
Different agrowastes like wheat Among different oyster

straw, paddy straw, soybean straw mushroom species evaluated for
and soybean straw + wheat straw yield, significantly higher yield
(1:1) were evaluated as base was obtained with Pleurotus
materials for button mushroom sajor-caju (55.1 kg/q dry
compost preparation. The 1:1 substrate), followed by P. florida
combination of soybean + wheat (54.5 kg/q dry substrate). The
straw recorded significantly blue oyster mushroom recorded
higher yield of Agaricus bisporus lowest yield of 50.2 kg/q dry
(15.43 kg/q compost) than other substrate.
base materials.
Supplementation of wheat straw
Addition of 100 g grain spawn / with 2% wheat bran and 2% rice
m2 of casing material at the time bran is beneficial for getting
of casing significantly enhanced higher yield of black ear
the Agaricus bisporus yield. It mushroom, Auricularia
recorded 30 per cent yield polytricha.
enhancement over control.
The highest fresh mushroom
Monsoon and rainy seasons were yield of Calocybe indica was
recorded as most suitable seasons obtained in mix substrate of
for cultivation of all the species wheat + paddy straw (1:1) i.e.
of Pleurotus. P. sajor-caju was 61.6 kg/q dry substrate.
53
The sawdust substrate The Cost Benefit ratio worked out

supplemented with 20% wheat during the intercropping in
bran was found better for shiitake maize, sugarcane and banana
mushroom and it recorded on an fields was 1:1.37, 1:1.94 and
average 5 fruit bodies / bed with 1:1.44, respectively.
an average fruiting body weight
of 20 g. Inter cropping of paddy straw
mushroom followed by 60 days in
The climatic conditions are more situ biodegradation of mushroom
suitable for oyster mushroom spent substrate led to addition of
cultivation (12 months) followed 13.2-16.9% N level, 9.5-16.67% P
by milky and paddy straw level and 5.90-11.82% K level in
mushrooms (9-10 months), and the field.
button mushroom (3 months).
Inter cropping of paddy straw
6.3. Coimbatore Centre mushroom led to overall
reduction in the weed population
A suitable out-door cultivation /m2, their group and dry weight
system of Paddy straw mushroom (9 g /m2).
(Volvariella volvacea) was
established along with banana, Nearly 10 months of the year are
maize and sugarcane crops. suitable for cultivating milky
mushroom, while all 12 months
Paddy straw mushroom could be for oyster mushroom and 9
successfully cultivated in the months for paddy straw
inter row spaces of maize (30 days mushroom.
after sowing), sugarcane (8
months after planting) and 6.4. Pantnagar Centre
banana (5 months after
planting). A relay cropping schedule
developed for Tarai region of
Among different substrates tried, Uttarakhand consisted of two crops
paddy straw constantly gave of Agaricus bisporus from
higher mushroom yield with September-March, four crops of
bioefficiency ranging from 9-16 % Pleurotus spp. from September-
from 25 kg of substrate with in a November and February-April and
total crop cycle of 28- 30 days. three crops of Calocybe indica from
54
March-October. Five crops of paddy 6.5. Faizabad Centre

straw mushroom can also be
harvested from April to September As per the climatic conditions of
depending upon its popularity. eastern Uttar Pradesh and the
Cropping schedule for different requirements of different species of
zones of Uttarakhand state is mushrooms, research work was
presented in Table 10. carried out and a yearly calendar of
Table 10: Mushrooms suitable for different zones of Uttarakhand state as per
climatic conditions
Zone Region District Mushroom species &
(height from Number of crops
sea level)
Zone-‘A1’ Tarai, U.S. Nagar, Haridwar, Button - 2 crops (October-March)
(100-600 m) Bhawar Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Oyster - 2+2 crops (August-October
Champawat, Dehradun & February-April)
Milky - 2 crops (April-September)
Shiitake - 1 crop (November-
February)
Black ear - 2 crops (July-October)
Zone-‘A2’ Lower hill Champawat, Nainital, Button - 2 crops (October-April)
(600-1000 m) Pauri Garhwal, Oyster - 2 crops (April-November)
Dehradun, Almora Milky - 1 crop (May-July)
Shiitake - 1 crop (November-
February)
Black ear - 2 crops (April-October)
Zone-‘B’ Medium Champawat, Nainital, Button - 2 crops (October-March)
(1000-1500 hill Almora, Dehradun, Tehri Oyster - 2 crops (August-March)
m) Garhwal, Bageshwar, Milky - 2 crops (April-September)
Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Shiitake - 1 crop (November-
Pithoragarh February)
Black ear - 2 crops (July-October)
Zone-‘C’ High hill Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Button - 3 crops (February-
(1500-2400 Bageshwer, Uttar Kashi, November)
m) Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Oyster - 2 crops (May-August)
Rudra Prayag Shiitake - 2 crops (March-October)
Zone-‘D’ Higher Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Button - 3 crops (February-October)
(>2400 m) hill Uttarkashi Oyster - 2 crops (June-July)
Shiitake - 2 crops (March-October)
55
cropping system was prepared. Four were found to perform well

crops of oyster mushroom can be during winter season in Bastar
raised from November to April, while Plataeu and Northern Hilly
one crop of button mushroom from regions. Pleurotus eous, P.
Nov. to Feb., 3 crops of milky salmoneo stramineus were found
mushroom from May to October and to be good during spring season
5 crops of paddy straw mushroom in Chhattisgarh plains.
from April to Sept. can be harvested.
Calocybe indica, Volvariella
6.6. Raipur Centre volvacea, V. diplasia and
Auricularia polytricha were
Seven mushroom species viz., found to grow well during
oyster mushroom, paddy straw monsoon season under natural
mushroom, milky mushroom, growing conditions, while button
white button mushroom, mushroom can be very well
shiitake mushroom, black ear cultivated during winter season.
mushroom and reishi mushroom Two crops of button mushroom
were evaluated according to their can be grown during winter
suitability under prevailing season under Northern Hilly
climatic conditions of regions and Bastar Plateau
Chhattisgarh. A crop calendar conditions, while only one crop
has been developed to grow can be grown in Chhattisgarh
different mushrooms and their Plains. In Spring/Pre-monsoon
species after conducting a series season, Volvariella volvacea and
of experiments for several years. Calocybe indica are nicely grown.
Among oyster mushroom species, Thus, the above mushrooms can
Pleurotus florida and P. be suitably grown almost the
flabellatus were found to grow round year depending upon the
well almost round the year. prevailing climatic conditions
Pleurotus florida, P. eous, P. one after the other.
membranaceus were found to
grow well during monsoon 6.7. Vellayani Centre
season in Chhattisgarh Plains,
Bastar Plataeu and Northern The traditional system of growing
Hilly regions, while P. sajor-caju, Volvariella has been discarded
P. colummbinus, and P. ostreatus and polybag method of cultivation
56
is followed. Polybag method is Paddy straw and milky

also followed for oyster mushroom can be grown at least
mushroom. for 9-10 months of the year (Feb.
to Oct.), while oyster mushroom
The Calocybe beds are split into cultivation can be taken up for
halves before casing and the rest 3 months (Nov. to Feb.).
mushroom is grown exclusively
in blue silpaulin sheds to get best
results.
57
7. STRATEGIES FOR PEST AND
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
7.1. Ludhiana Centre Reduce the dust load at mushroom

farms by using maximum concrete
The commonly encountered on the open area as dust is the
mushroom pests and diseases in primary source of many
Punjab are listed in Table 11. Most of mushroom pathogens.
the pathogens and pests of white
button mushroom can be managed by The location of the farm should not
sound hygiene and sanitary measures be accessible to toxic fumes and
which at the moment is the only best gases.
available defense with a grower. The
use of chemicals should be the last Bulk ingredients used for compost
resort under extremely unavoidable preparation should either be
circumstances. purchased fresh or stored properly.
These should not be already wet,
A grower can get a reasonably muddy or too broken down.
disease free crop at his farm if the
following undermentioned tips are Compost ingredients should be
routinely followed during various properly formulated, correctly
stages of mushroom cultivation: supplemented if required and
processed. Incorrect C/N ratio
Table 11: Mushroom pests and diseases encountered in Punjab

Fungi Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Coprinus, Dactylium dendroides,
Diehliomyces microsporus, Mycogone perniciosa, Penicillium,
Populaspora byssina, Trichoderma, Verticillium fungicola
Bacteria Pseudomonas tolaasii
Insects/Pest Lycoriella, Megaselia, Mites & Springtails
Nematodes Aphelenchoides composticola, Ditylenchus myceliophagus,
Caenorhabditis spp.
58
attracts unwanted weed/indicator Special attention should be paid to

molds. maintain optimum air velocity. CO2
level should be between 5000-
Choice of spawn and supplements 15000 ppm during spawn run and
should be well thought of. Try to the first few days following casing
procure and use spawn from a and between 1000-1500 ppm
genuine source and it should be thereafter.
free from contaminants.
Prophylactic spray of Indofil M 45
Casing soil should be properly (0.25-0.50 %) at casing, at pin head
prepared, stored and disinfected/ appearance and between 2nd and
pasteurized correctly. Any mixture 3 rd mushroom breaks help in
suspected to be containing fungal restricting the growth and spread
spores should be avoided. Avoid of a few fungal pathogens. Use of
over pasteurization of casing soil carbendazim (0.02-0.05 %) under
for longer duration. The casing soil certain conditions is also
preparation and casing operation recommended.
should be carried out under strict
hygienic conditions. Picking of mushrooms should
preferably be done once during the
The surface of the beds should be day and before the opening of the
dressed properly before casing and caps.
preferably spot treatment with 2
% formaldehyde be given if any At the end of the crop cycle, the
weed or cosmetic moulds growth cropping rooms should be properly
is visible . Some indicator moulds pasteurized (cook out), cleaned out
like ink cap need to be weeded out and prepared for another filling.
before it autolyse and open to The “Cook out” is essentially
liberate spores. required in the event of nematodes
infestation. Emptying or dumping
On occasions chlorinated water off of the spent substrate should
(150 ppm chlorine) should be be done at a far off site from the
sprayed on mushroom beds to mushroom producing area.
reduce bacteria population level on
the mushroom caps. Condensation As an aid to good sanitation and
of water droplets and water hygiene, use the recommended
splashes should be avoided. fungicides and pesticides as
59
Table 12: Treatment recommended by Ludhiana Centre for mushroom pests

and diseases
Fungi Formaldehyde 2 %, Indophil M-45 0.2-0.5 %, Carbendazim 0.02-0.05 %,
Manual removal of infected patches and weed fungi
Bacteria Chlorinated water 75 ppm
Insect-Pests Malathion 0.05 %, Dichlorovos 0.5 %, Lindane (g BHC) in compost
Nematodes Furadon 3G (50 g/q) in compost / casing, pasteurization / cooking out
where facility is available
mentioned above in the event of 7.3. Coimbatore Centre

appearance of diseases and insect
pests. Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) programme is generally
The various treatments followed in mushroom growing
suggested and recommended by farms, which involves acquiring
Ludhiana Centre for mushroom knowledge of the biology and
pests and diseases management are behavior of the pests and diseases,
given in Table 12. monitoring the farm environment,
assessment of the damage, making
7.2. Pune Centre appropriate management decisions
and use of IPM tools and techniques
Chemical sterilization of wheat
straw using 75 ppm bavistin with The various components of IPM are:
500 ppm formalin observed to be
equally good to hot water Farm hygiene is given utmost
treatment. priority
The chemical treatment of long Providing doors, windows and

method compost with DDVP (3 ventilators with 35 mesh nylon
ml) + Bavistin (0.5 g) per 10 kg net to prevent entry of the flies
compost recorded highest button in the cropping room
mushroom yield of 10.64 kg/q
compost. Use of TNAU light traps and
yellow sticky trap for monitoring
and killing of mushroom flies
60
At the end of each crop, cooking Verticillium fungicola by sporgon

out at 70-800C for 2 hours before (0.075 %) and Hypomyces
removing the beds to kill all rosellus, Fusarium moniliformae
stages of pests and diseases is and Sepedonium chryosporium
strongly recommended. by Bavistin (0.025 %) + Formalin
(0.2 %) have been worked out.
The spent compost and casing
materials should be safely 7.5. Udaipur Centre
disposed off in isolated manure
pits to check the spread of In survey and surveillance
diseases and breeding of flies. studies, several oyster mushroom
farms were surveyed and in few
7.4. Pantnagar Centre farms infection of green mould,
inky caps and Aspergillus spp.
The major mushroom pathogens was recorded. Among insects,
observed were Verticillium, Dipterien flies and spring tails
Sepedonium, Trichoderma, were common.
Fusarium, Mycogone perniciosa and
Hypomyces rosellus. These can be However, in button mushroom
managed by using the following infection from brown plaster
below listed techniques. mould, Coprinus spp. and green
mould was recorded. Infection
Pseudomonas fluorescence from nematodes and Dipterien
proved effective in controlling flies was also recorded in few
mushroom diseases caused by farms.
Verticillium, Sepedonium,
Trichoderma and Fusarium. In tribal areas, no disease and
insect pests were found. Further,
Botanicals, Aegle mormelos (0.5 only at 2-3 farms in Dhimadi
%) and Cleome viscosa (1.0 %) village infection of Coprinus spp.
were found effective in and green mould was observed in
controlling of Mycogone traces.
perniciosa and Trichoderma
viride, respectively. 7.6. Faizabad Centre
Chemical control of pathogens, Treatment and drying of straw in

Mycogone perniciosa and jute bags, use of light traps for
61
insect management, re-casing of 78.8 % BE with Subeej +

mushroom beds against plaster formalin (75+500 ppm) in
moulds and strict hygiene were comparision to only 29 % BE in
used. control.
7.7. Raipur Centre Treatment with neemazole @ 0.1

% was found to enhance the yield
Bavistin and Subeej at 50 ppm of P. florida (57.40%) in
were most effective in inhibiting comparision to control (16 %).
the growth of most of the weed
fungi, whereas antracol was less 7.8. Vellayani Centre
effective.
Blue and yellow light traps
75 ppm Bavistin + 500 ppm installed in mushroom houses,
Formalin was most effective reduce the flies infestation in
treatment in inhibiting the mushrooms. Hanging of gingelly
growth of most of the weed fungi oil rubbed X-ray films near the
compared to other treatments. mushroom beds help in trapping
of flies.
Lowest fungal count was
recorded in substrate treated Garlic paste put around the
with riolon +formalin (75+500 mushroom house was found to
ppm), followed by bavistin reduce the insect attack.
+formalin. However, highest
biological efficiency (71.25) was Boiling is the most effective
obtained with Topsin–M, followed method of substrate treatment as
by Sultaf+formalin treatment. it results in very low incidence of
diseases in mushroom beds.
Under in vivo conditions, riolon
+ formalin (75+500 ppm) Keeping the surroundings of the
recorded significantly higher growing houses clean helps to
yield (80.2 % BE), followed by tackle the pest problem.
62
8. TECHNOLOGIES TRANSFERRED AND
EXTENSION SERVICES RENDERED
8.1. Ludhiana Centre
A complete package of
technologies has been transferred
for the growers of the state and
adjoining areas through University
‘Package of Practices’.
Technologies transferred
Round the year cultivation

technology for 4 mushrooms Fig. 31. High yielding cultivar PAU-5 (P.
florida) developed at Ludhiana Centre
varieties namely button, oyster,
paddy straw and milky
mushroom.
Low cost compost and casing soil

formulations
New composting schedule of 24

days for long method of
composting
High yielding cultivars – PAU-S-

11 (Agaricus bisporus), PAU-2
Fig. 32. High yielding cultivar Mm-3
(Pleurotus ostreatus), PAU-3 (P. (Calocybe indica) developed at
sajor-caju), PAU-5 (P. florida) Ludhiana Centre
(Fig. 31), Volvariella diplasia
Comprehensive disease control
selection and Mm-3 (Calocybe
package for control of
indica) (Fig. 32)
mycopathogens
63
Extension services rendered growers are addressed on personal

contact basis and on-site visit/melas/
Short duration training courses demonstrations and through:
on mushroom production
technology at PAU, Ludhiana, Spawn supply
KVKs and Regional Research
Stations on regular basis as per Use of electronic and print media
the mushroom cultivation season
Audio/Visual demonstrations
Visits to/by the growers and high
dignitaries Demonstration of popular
techniques
Button mushroom compost
sample analysis for pH, moisture, Rendering advisory services
Carbon to Nitrogen ratio,
nematodes etc. Preparation of project reports
Lectures/ demonstrations in On-line services

training programmes and Kisan
8.2. Pune Centre
Melas
The Centre has organized 705
Extension material prepared
training programmes so far and a
Bulletins – Punjabi and English good number of trainees (15883)
have been trained in mushroom
Bilingual-CD’s cultivation. The Centre has also
supplied 41 tons of mushroom
Compendiums spawn. The Centre has published 15
popular articles on mushroom along
Audio cassettes, Video CD with delivering of talks on All India
Radio (20) and T.V. (20). Five front
Pamphlets/handouts line demonstrations were conducted
at the Centre and more than 95000
Mitigation techniques visitors have visited the Centre (Fig.
33). The Centre also participated in
The challenges/problems 50 melas / exhibitions.
encountered by the mushroom
64
Academics
Ph.D. and M.Sc. students have

conducted research on various
aspects of mushroom technology in
the Department of Plant Pathology
and Agricultural Microbiology,
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Rahuri and Department of Plant
Pathology and Agricultural
Fig. 33. Delegates from Canada visiting
AICRPM Centre at Pune
Microbiology, College of Agriculture,
Pune. The details are given in Table
A training programme for self 13.
employment has been launched by
the Govt. of Maharashtra and two 8.3. Coimbatore Centre
batches of 20 participants each have
The technologies on cultivation
been imparted training of four
month duration in all aspects of of different mushrooms and pest/
mushroom production (Fig. 34). disease management were
transferred through conducting
regular one day training programme
on 5th of every month by this Centre.
Every month on an average 50
participants attended the
programme from different places of
the state and other adjoining states.
So far 295 such programmes have
been conducted and more than
20,000 trainees have participated in
these programmes for the past 20
Fig. 34. Hands on training to tribal
people at Pune Centre years. The Centre also participated
in various national and state level
exhibitions (Fig. 35).
65
Table 13: M.Sc and Ph.D thesis work conducted at Pune Centre
Sr. Title Name of Name of Year Degree
No. student guide
1 Studies on efficacy of wheat D. Venkata Dr. D.M. 2000 M.Sc.
straw and sugarcane trash on Reddy Sawant (Ag.)
yield and nutrient status of
A.bitorquis
2 Studies on competitive moulds V.D. Surya- Dr. D.M. 2000 M.Sc.
in straw substrate for Pleurotus wanshi Sawant (Ag.)
sajor-caju and their management
3 Effects of supplementation of S.S. Dangat Dr. P.V. Wani 2002 M.Sc.
wheat straw on performance of (Ag.)
Pleurotus eous (Berk.) Sacc.
4 Effect of different casing Ms. V.M. Prof. S.K. 2002 M.Sc.
materials on the yield of button Jadhav Jadhav (Ag.)
mushroom (A. bisporus)
5 Applied aspects of cultivation of C.T. Kumbhar Dr. P.V. Wani 2003 Ph.D.
Pleurotus eous (Berk) Sacc. (Ag.)
6 Studies on competitive molds in K.V. Harphale Dr. P.V. Wani 2003 M.Sc.
Pleurotus eous (Berk) Sacc. (Ag.)
7 Effect of size and shape of bed P.S. Ilhe Dr. S.W. 2003 M.Sc.
on growth and yield of Pleurotus Jadhav (Ag.)
sajor-caju
8 Hybridization studies in S.G. Sawashe Dr. D.M. 2003 Ph.D.
Pleurotus spp. Sawant (Ag.)
9 Hybridization studies in S.W. Jadhav Dr.D.M. 2003 Ph.D
Agaricus bisporus Sawant (Ag.)
10 Effect of biofertilizers on yield A.B. Gaikwad Dr. S.S. 2004 M.Sc.
of mushroom Pleurotus sajor- Wange (Ag.)
caju
11 Effect of microbial inoculants Ms. A.S. Dr. S.S. 2005 M.Sc.
on white button mushroom Gitay Wange (Ag.)
(Agricus bisporus)
12 Studies on Hypsizygus R.N. Patil Dr. S.S. 2006 M.Sc.
ulmarius- A new edible Wange (Ag.)
mushroom
66
Fig. 35. AICRPM Centre Coimbatore exhibiting their stall
Recently 30 advanced training TNAU, Coimbatore from 2005

programmes of 5 days and 10 days onwards. The Centre has supplied
duration on mushroom cultivation mushroom spawn of 98 tons. The
were organized and about 105 Centre has also published 6 books on
trainees were benefited out of the mushroom. Two ODL trainings were
trainings. For the first time in India, conducted at the Centre and more
distance learning on mushroom than 2000 visitors visited the Centre
cultivation has been organized at (Fig. 36).
Fig. 36. Ministers from Sri Lanka and Gujarat visiting AICRPM Centre, Coimbatore
67
8.4. Ranchi Centre cultivation in Jharkhand in which a

good number of mushroom growers
Various training programmes participated. Mushroom training-
were conducted to popularize cum-mela was organized on 3-4
mushroom cultivation in the November, 2007 in which 97 persons
Jharkhand State (Fig. 37). A large were trained on oyster and button
number of farmers (5200) have been mushroom cultivation (Fig. 38).
trained by the Centre and other During past six years (2002 to 2007),
organizations in the Jharkhand a total of 166.7 q spawn of oyster
state. A mushroom Divas was mushroom was made available to the
organized by HARP on 24th Oct., interested mushroom growers of
2003 to popularize mushroom Jharkhand and other adjacent states.
Fig. 37. Hands on training programme organized at Ranchi Centre
Fig. 38. Mushroom training-cum-mela organized at Ranchi Centre
68
8.5. Pantnagar Centre and 30 M.Sc. and 14 Ph.D. degrees

have been awarded on thesis work
For dissemination of the research on different aspects of nutra and
findings to the growers, the Centre nutriceutical aspects of mushrooms.
carried out a variety of extension
programmes: Impact
Demonstrations and on-farm Mushroom production during

trials in adopted villages 1999-2006 period had started showing
upward trend. The mushroom
Training courses for production in the state reached to
entrepreneurs, small growers, 5340 MT in 2005-06 from 2203 MT
BPLs and extension workers in 1999-2000.
Organization and participation It is evident from the Figure 39

in exhibitions and farmers fairs that there was 3100 MT mushroom
production during the year 2001
Consultancy services to when Uttarakhand state was
entrepreneurs and advisory help established. The production has
to farmers increased substantially from 3100
MT in 2001 to 5340 MT in 2005. The
Supply of quality spawn to increase in quantity of spawn /
mushroom growers and cultures compost supplied to growers and
of improved strains to industry / number of growers in 2006 indicate
spawn producers higher mushroom production in the
State.
Supply of pasteurized compost to
mushroom growers
Production (MT)
The Centre has maintained

linkages with different Departments
like Microbiology, Plant Pathology,
Food Science and Technology,
Biotechnology, Post Harvest
Year
Technology, Chemistry,
Biochemistry etc. of the University, Fig. 39. Mushroom production in
Uttarakhand state
69
Total number of mushroom mushroom cultivation (Fig. 40).

production units in the State Total of 180 letters pertaining to
reached to 903 in the year 2005 from
cultivation of button mushroom,
485 units during the year 2002. Theoyster mushroom, milky mushroom,
various marginal, small and spawn production and marketing of
mushrooms were replied. In addition
industrial scale units established in
different parts of Uttarakhand state
to this, technical and spot guidance
are given in Table 14. was provided to 320 farmers on
various aspects of mushroom
8.6. Udaipur Centre cultivation. Twenty radio talks and
four TV programmes on mushroom
A total number of 118 training production technology were also
programmes were conducted on delivered. About 12.5 quintals of
mushroom cultivation and 1277 mushroom spawn was supplied to
farmers, farm women, entrepreneurs mushroom growers.
and students were trained in
Table 14: Mushroom production units in Uttarakhand state

District Level Units Units Units Units
(2002) (2003) (2004) (2005)
Dehradun Marginal 101 131 151 167

Small 02 03 06 07
Industrial 01 01 01 01
Haridwar Marginal 03 09 11 31
Pauri Garhwal Marginal 04 06 09 15

& Uttar Kashi
Nainital Marginal 135 200 217 224

Small 02 03 06 06
Almora Marginal 30 105 130 148
U.S. Nagar Marginal 203 283 288 297

Small 04 06 06 07
Total 485 741 825 903
70
Fig. 40. Training programme organised at Udaipur Centre
8.7. Faizabad Centre 8.8. Raipur Centre
Besides assigned technical Training programmes

programme of AICRPM, research organized
work has been carried out on the
basis of farmer’s feedback to sort out a) National Training
their problems. Some of them are: Programmes
Casing technology of Calocybe With a view to promote

indica in comparison and mushroom production and
contrast with A. bisporus marketing, a self-employment
generation scheme on payment basis
Utilization of spent substrate in was launched on 1st January, 1997.
mushroom cultivation It attracted the entrepreneurs from
Timing for removing polythene Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West
cover of oyster beds Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan and
Maharashtra. These entrepreneurs
In all in all the complete package after being exposed to 7 days training
of practices for the cultivation of were able to establish either their
Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus spp. own spawn lab or mushroom
and Calocybe indica were production units. Many of the
standardized and transferred for entrepreneurs trained at the Centre
their adoption in eastern Uttar are now engaged in mushroom
Pradesh. spawn production, mushroom
71
production and marketing. The Technology Assessment and

Centre has organized 5 such Refinement under DBT Ad hoc
national training programmes sofar project on “Transfer of mushroom
at Raipur. production and processing
technologies for the upliftment of
b) State Level/sponsored/other rural farmers of Chhattisgarh”. The
training programmes technical persons visited these
villages on regular basis for
More than 35 on and off campus imparting training on different
training programmes on mushroom aspects of mushrooms viz.,
spawn production, cultivation of mushroom cultivation, spawn
different mushrooms and mushroom production, processing, marketing
preservation / processing were etc. The technology generated under
organised for the farm women / men AICRPM at IGAU, Raipur was also
/ rural youths under different evaluated under farmers growing
programmes which have benefited conditions in these two villages and
2294 farmers in variety of ways (Fig. further refinement in the technology
41). was done based on the concrete
feedback of the farmers. The
interested farmers frequently visited
the mushroom laboratory and
sought the necessary advice on
implementation of mushroom
technology in their villages.
Participation in Kisan mela/

Kisan Diwas
To create awareness among

Fig. 41. Training programme at Raipur common mass, mushroom stall with
for farm women live demonstration of mushroom
technology, technology
Adoption of villages demonstration through coloured
posters, flexy boards, mushroom
Tarra and Dondekhurd villages recipes and processed mushroom
were adopted under Institutional products were depicted by the
Village Linkage Programme through Centre during the 22 Kisan mela/
72
Krishak Diwas/ Kisan Gosthi/ Sai Singh, Hon’ble Agril. Minister,

Rajyotsava/Krishi Pradarshini/NSS Shri B.K.S. Ray, Principal Secretary
Camp/NSS Day etc. and Agril. Production Commissioner,
Govt. of Chhattisgarh and Shri J.P.
Organization of State Level Negi, Managing Director, NHB,
Exhibition Gurgaon (Fig. 42). A bulletin
entitled “Mushroom ke Vyanjan”
An exhibition on “Production written by Ms. Ratna Naseene was
and Processing Technology of released during inaugural session of
Mushroom” was organized at the exhibition.
mushroom research lab,
Department of Plant Pathology, Organization of National
IGAU, Raipur from 20-22 January, Seminar / Workshop
2002. During this exhibition thirty
six recipes of mushrooms were A National Seminar on “Role of
displayed. Some of the important Antimicrobials for Sustainable
recipes were mushroom ice-cream, Horticulture” was jointly
mushroom paneer, whey based organized by the Department of
mushroom chilli, mushroom kheer, Plant Pathology and Indian
etc., which were appreciated by the Society of Mycology and Plant
visitors. The exhibition was attended Pathology, Udaipur on 20 th
by more than 1500 participants. The January, 2002 to commemorate
exhibition was visited by Dr. Prem the 16th foundation day of IGKV.
A 2 days National Workshop on

“Awareness Creation on
Biodiversity and Conservation of
Mushrooms” was organized from
1-2 December, 2005 at
Department of Plant Pathology,
Indira Gandhi Agricultural
University, Raipur in
collaboration with National
Biodiversity Authority of India,
Chennai.
Fig. 42. Deligates visiting AICMIP
Centre at Raipur
73
Extension publication Radio/ TV Talks
a) Bulletin / Compendium / Twenty-five radio talks on

Folder various aspects of mushrooms were
delivered/broadcasted at All India
Publication of bulletins, Radio, Raipur. Thrity five TV Talks
compendiam and folders in Hindi on and news coverage on channels like
nutritional and medicinal values of E TV (M.P.), Sahara TV, Raipur
mushrooms, production Doordarshan Kendra and local
technologies of different channels on different topics under
mushrooms, mushroom recipes and “Annadata” programme had
processed products created lot of imparted the technical know how of
awareness among the readers. The different mushrooms. Mushroom
literature costing Rs. 49,145/- was research lab in Department of Plant
sold from Mushroom Research Lab. Pathology, IGAU, Raipur has
So far the Centre has published 10 generated a revenue of Rs.
technical bulletins, 13 compendium 3,22,151/- by selling culture tubes,
of lectures, 13 leaf folders, 30 mother spawn, commercial spawn,
popular articles and about 150 news fresh mushroom, pickles, mushroom
items in various news papers. literature and consultancy since
inception of the project in 1988.
b) Preparation of Video CD on
mushroom cultivation Promotion of spawn makers
A documentary film of 10 min A list of spawn makers promoted
duration on cultivation of white by the Centre and quantity of spawn
button mushroom was prepared in sold by spawn makers in
the year 2004-2005. Similarly a Chhattisgarh are given in Table 15.
documentary film of 12 minutes
duration on oyster mushroom kee Promotion of different
vyavsayik kheti was also produced in organizations
the year 2005-06. These video films
are available for sale as VCD’s at the Mushroom Hitgrahi Sangh
Centre. (MHS): It is a registered NGO
working throughout the State of
74
Chhattisgarh absolutely for the District) promoted by the Centre for

cause of mushroom development in mushroom spawn production. This
the State. It has organized about 35 group started working in August,
training programmes on ‘Mushroom 2005 and has sold about 3500 bags
Production Technology’ and (250 g/ bag) of spawn. The group has
‘Mushroom Processing Technology’ also been trained in mushroom
for the rural women. Various processing and have sold about one
agencies like Department of quintal of mushroom papad mainly
Horticulture, Department of Forest, for mid day meal scheme. These
Department of Women and Child women are also acting as resource
Development, IFFCO etc. had person for imparting training in
sponsored these training mushroom programmes organized
programmes. About 1050 rural by the Department of Women and
women have been benefited by the Child, Govt. of Chhattisgarh.
activities of MHS.
Swa Shakti Samuh: It is a self-help
Prerna Swawlamban Samiti group of 10 women of Dondekhurd
(PSS): It is also a registered NGO (Dharsewa block of Raipur District)
working in Chhattisgarh especially promoted by the Raipur Centre and
for the upliftment of tribal people this group is actively involved in
belonging to below poverty line. It mushroom cultivation and transfer
has trained about 1150-1200 tribal of mushroom production technology.
women / men in almost all districts The women belong to this group also
of Chhattisgarh through organizing act as resource persons for imparting
25 training programmes on oyster training on mushroom cultivation
mushroom cultivation. for village women.
Saheb Agrovet: It is a registered Chhattisgarh Mushroom

firm for the sale of mushroom spawn.Swayatt Sahkari Samiti: It is a
It purchases spawn from various registered NGO and has trained
sources and makes it available to the
about 700-800 mushroom growers in
mushroom growers, through its sale Kanker and Jagdalpur areas. It is
counter in Raipur. involved in mushroom spawn
preparation and mushroom
Sradha Suman Samuh: It is a production. It had sold about 2000
self-help group of 6 women of Tarra spawn bags to different states of
village (Dharsewa block of Raipur India.
75
Table 15: Mushroom spawn production in Chhattisgarh

Sr. Name of the firm District Quantity (quintal per
No. annum)
1. Mushroom spawn lab, IGAU, Raipur Raipur 8-10
2. Chhattisgarh mushroom, Tendua, Raipur 18-20
Abhanpur
3. Vanved Network Pvt., Ltd., Sadar Bazar, Raipur 20-25
Raipur
4. Chhattisgarh Mushroom Swayatt Raipur 25-30
Sahkarita Maryadit, Gudihari
5. Shri Satguru Mushroom Centre Raipur 8-10
6. Bose Mushroom Lab. Raipur 8-10
7. Roverent Mushroom Durg 8-10
8. Chhattisgarh Resource Organization Durg 20-25
9. Querishi Mushroom Farm Durg 8-10
10. Deshmukh Spawn Lab. Durg 8-10
11. Om Mushroom Farm Rajnandgaon 12-15
12. Biotech. Lab., Govt. of Chhattisgarh Ambikapur 5-7
13. Pradeep Shah Mushroom Lab. Ambikapur 10-12
14. Basant Gupta Mushroom Lab. Bilaspur 12-15
15. Raghav Mushroom Lab. Bilaspur 15-20
16. Precious Mushroom Spawn Lab. Bilaspur 22-25
17. Rupak Mushroom Lab. Korba 40-50
18. Annapurna Mushroom Farm Korba 8-10
19. Chakrabarty Mushroom Lab. Durg 8-10
20. Tamrakar Mushroom Lab. Durg 5-7
Total 300-325
Establishment of commercial technology viz., training, live

units: With concerted efforts of the demonstrations, contributing
Centre on transfer of mushroom articles, participation in kisan mela/
76
Table 16: Mushroom units promoted by Raipur Centre

Sr. Name of Firm Place Proprietors Targets
No.
1. Chhattisgarh Mushroom Tendua Ms. Namrata Ghai 95 kg / day
(Abhanpur),
Raipur
2. Chhattisgarh Mushroom Tendua Ms. Namrata Ghai -
Processing Unit (Abhanpur),
Raipur
3. Om Mushroom Dongargarh, Sh. D. K. Shukla 90 kg / day
Rajnandgaon
4. Annapurna Mushroom Korba Sh. Ajay Vishwa- 70 kg / day
karma
5. Mushroom Corner Raipur Ms. Namrata Ghai Sale of fresh
mushroom, dry
mushroom and
processed
product
6. Roverent Mushroom Durg Sh. Rahul Gupta Sale of fresh
mushroom, dry
mushroom and
processed
product
kisan diwas/ Rajyotsav etc., a lot of 8.9. Vellayani Centre

awareness has been created among
common mass. Many entrepreneurs A simple technique namely
have established commercial units stapler method – a modified spawn
on oyster mushroom production, production technique has been
while some entrepreneurs have perfected at the Centre and is being
involved themselves in mushroom practiced by the farmers. A simple
marketing. The details of the cultivation technique for cultivation
mushroom units promoted by Raipur of Calocybe indica using spent
Centre are listed in Table 16. compost of oyster mushroom was
evolved for the first time in Kerala
77
Fig. 43. Training programme at Vellayani Centre
and the technology has been more than 3000 growers from
transferred to farmers of the State. different parts of State. TV
Regular training programmes on programmes were recorded and
cultivation of different varieties of telecasted on production of oyster
mushrooms were conducted for and other important mushrooms.
unemployed youth, members of Regular advisory services were
kudumbasree units, VHSE students, extended from the Centre to the
senior citizens and members of mushroom growers of the state. Self-
residents association (Fig. 43). help programmes were also
Advanced training on production of conducted with technical expertise
milky mushroom was imparted to of the staff of the university.
78
9. BENEFIT REAPED BY THE FARMERS
9.1. Punjab By the continuous efforts of the

Ludhiana Centre, about 400
The availability of production mushroom growers have adopted
technology for growing different this venture for their livelihood.
varieties of mushrooms round the The mushroom growers can be
year has enabled the growers in not classified into three categories
only improving their dietary level namely i) small or domestic scale ii)
but also their economic standards. medium scale and iii) commercial or
This has also helped to recycle the large scale or industrial scale
abundantly available agricultural growers depending upon their straw
residues particularly paddy straw, processing capacity (Table 17).
into protein rich food, feed and
fertilizer, thereby has solved the A village, Dehriwal in Amritsar
environmental pollution problem has more than 150 mushroom
resulting from their in situ burning. growers who are successfully
The increased production in the cultivating white button mushroom.
State, which accounts for nearly 60 Large scale growers are concentrated
% of the total national produce also in and around Amritsar, Patiala,
reflects the increased level of Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Kapurthala,
domestic consumption. Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts.
Table 17: Mushroom growers in Punjab

Type of Grower Approx. no. of Straw processing Mushroom production
growers capacity (q) (MT)/Annum
Small
Domestic 200 <50
Medium 5, 000
Cottage 125 <100
Commercial
Seasonal 70 >100 65, 000
Industrial 4 >500
79
Few cold storage chambers have been more than 160 mushroom farms in
converted to suit the mushroom the State with a production capacity
cultivation in some of these districts. of 2665 MT/year. There are 5 units
engaged in production of value-
9.2. Maharashtra added mushroom products viz.,
mushroom soup powder, mushroom
Commercial production of button biscuits, mushroom pickles,
mushroom in Maharashtra was mushroom papad and mushroom
started in 1972. Initially it was done powder capsule.
in potato cold storage with some
alterations in the structural designs. 9.3. Tamil Nadu
The total mushroom production in
the Maharashtra was 300 MT during Among different kinds of
1992-93 and it has increased to 2500 mushrooms, the farmers of Tamil
MT in 2005-06. More than hundred Nadu prefer to grow oyster and milky
and fifty growers are engaged in the mushrooms because of their simple
oyster mushroom cultivation, cultivation techniques. Total
marketing, spawn production and production of mushrooms in the
processing. The popularity of milky state is about 18,000 MT/ annum. In
mushroom is also increasing among oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida,
the growers and the demand for P. eous, and Hypsizygus ulmarius are
milky mushroom is more in commercially grown in all parts of
Mumbai, Pune and coastal Konkan Tamil Nadu. About 400 spawn
region. Few growers have production units and more than 680
successfully started growing milky mushroom growers are distributed
mushroom in the state. through out the State.
The Pune Centre is catering the The sustained efforts made

needs of mushroom growers by through AICRPM for the production
imparting practical training in and timely supply of quality spawn,
cultivation of oyster and button mother cultures and stock cultures
mushroom. By the concerted efforts of various kinds of mushrooms has
of the Centre, 20 spawn production created a strong impact on
units have been established to mushroom production in the state.
produce button, oyster and milky Many satellite mushroom growing
mushroom spawn with a production units, self-help groups and spawn
capacity of 3500 kg/year. There are production centres have been
80
established through out the State their economic status by adopting

due to the efforts made by mushroom cultivation. Every year
Coimbatore Centre. about 400 to 500 new mushroom
growers are starting mushroom
9.4. Faizabad cultivation and presently the spawn
requirement of the area is over 100
Over 5000 small and marginal tons per annum.
farmers of the state have improved
81
10. MILESTONES AND LAMP POSTS
OF THE PROJECT
10.1. Ludhiana Centre Spawn production unit has been

developed at the main campus
The project had several and four additional spawn
milestones and lamp-posts during producing labs have been created
the last many years and they are in different districts (Patiala,
listed below Sangrur, Jalandhar and
Hoshiarpur) by the State
Infrastructure for short method Department of Horticulture.
of composting (pasteurization
tunnel) created. Two test-cum-demonstration
facilities in the form of walk-in
A mushroom compost turner has growth chambers (climatically
been locally designed and controlled) have been created
fabricated as prototype. The same (Fig. 44).
has been used as a model and a Specialized mushroom training
second one was fabricated at courses (four nos.) are a regular
NRCM, Solan. feature in the University
training schedule for every year.
Fig. 44. Controlled growth chamber at Ludhiana Centre
82
10.2. Pune Centre Lack of coordination and

collaborations among growers
Since its establishment, the Pune and researchers.
Centre has played a key role in the
development and dessimination of Keeping in view, the mandates
mushroom production technologies, and objectives assigned, the Centre
and in imparting trainings to develop has the following future lamp posts
skilled man power. However, there
are some key issues, which are listed Survey, collection, isolation and
below: conservation of wild fleshy fungi.
Little awareness about Genetic improvement /

nutritional, medicinal values and hybridization studies in
taboos, and superstition about cultivated edible mushrooms.
mushrooms.
Improvement and refinement in
Illegal and unrecognized production technologies of new
mushroom training Centres. edible and medicinal
mushrooms.
Low domestic consumption of
mushrooms. Research on accelerated and
improved composting by using
Less number of recognised microbes.
mushroom labs in the State.
Testing and utilization of newer
Low and inconsistent mushroom waste materials for mushroom
yield due to non-availability of cultivation and as casing
high yielding and good quality material.
strains.
Recycling of spent compost and
High input cost due to non- straw using useful microbes.
availability of abundant
indigenous technologies. Improvement and development
of spawn production technology
Lack of marketing channels and to increase shelf life and
proper pricing. suitability for bulk transport.
83
Integrated pests and diseases 10.4. Faizabad Centre

management for important pests
and diseases encountered in In 1980, mushroom production
mushroom production. was almost nil in Uttar Pradesh and
presently it is around 4000 tons.
Research on post harvest However, the several milestones and
technology of mushrooms, to lamp-posts identified for the Centre
improve shelf life, packaging, are listed below
drying and value addition.
Number of farmers involved in
Effective transfer of technology regular mushroom growing is
through publications and over 5000 in eastern Uttar
distribution of literature, Pradesh and mushroom demand
electronic media, holding of is more than supply.
mushroom melas,
Over 100 % biological efficiency
demonstrations, exhibitions and
of Calocybe indica in a duration
training programmes.
of 90-100 days harvesting.
Transfer of technology through
village adoption, collaboration Over 35 % yield of button
with NGOs’ and SHGs’. mushroom in a duration of 90-95
days harvesting.
10.3. Coimbatore Centre
Day-by-day increasing demand of
The several milestones and lamp- mushroom spawn.
posts of the Centre are listed below
10.5. Raipur Centre
Evolving high yielding varieties
of Calocybe indica and Volvariella Release of Indira Sweta, a variety
volvacea. of oyster mushroom, Pleurotus
florida for commercial
Exploring the possibility for the cultivation in the entire state of
molecules of biopesticidal and Chhattisgarh.
pharmaceutical importance from
macro Basidiomycetes. Development of spiral method of
Creating new entrepreneurs for cultivation around wooden /
increasing the mushroom cemented poles which has almost
production.
84
doubled the mushroom yield and Collection, identification &

enhanced the period of growing. characterization of eight local
species of Ganoderma lucidum
Development of mushroom crop (Reishi Mushroom).
calendar for round the year
In strain evaluation study, CI-10
cultivation of different
strain of Calocybe indica, Vv-11
mushrooms and their species
of Volvariella volvacea, NCS-100
under prevailing agroclimatic (CM-3) and NCH-102 of Agaricus
conditions of the Chhattisgarh bisporus were found to be the
State. most promising strains in several
years of testing trials under
Collection, identification & prevailing climatic conditions of
characterization of 102 wild Chhattisgarh.
mushroom flora from 16 districts
of Chhattisgarh. Three Ph.D., 15 M.Sc. (Ag.)
thesis and 35 undergraduate
Isolation, preservation & project works on different aspects
maintenance of about 28-30 of mushrooms.
species of Mushroom flora from
Organization of three National
Chhattisgarh.
Seminars/Workshops and One
ICAR sponsored Short Course on
Identification of Pleurotus
Mushroom.
florida, Pleurotus flabellatus,
Pleurotus sajor–caju as most Publication of 35 research papers
promising species for cultivation and presentation of about 65
in the entire state of research papers in International
Chhattisgarh. /National Conferences.
Identification of paddy straw/ Technical support to 20

wheat straw as substrate for mushroom spawn production
oyster mushroom, white button units in the state of Chhattisgarh.
mushroom, milky mushroom Technical support to six
and paddy straw mushroom, commercial oyster mushroom
while cotton waste for paddy production units in the state of
straw mushroom cultivation. Chhattisgarh.
85
Publication of Literature in mushrooms and plants diseases

simple Hindi language (11 management.
bulletins, 10 compendiams, 13
leaf folders, 2 CD’s) for the rural Organisation of three days State
people, illiterate women/men etc. level exhibition on mushroom
production, mushroom recipes
Training of about 4000 and mushroom processing
entrepreneurs from seven States technologies.
viz., Rajasthan, West Bengal,
Bihar, Maharastra, Madhya 10.6. Vellayani Centre
Pradesh, Orissa and
Chhattisgarh. A mobile mushroom unit is to be
setup with all amenities in order to
Organization of five National facilitate the faculty members to
Level and 79 sponsored training visit and conduct on the spot
programmes on different aspects training, supply of spawn and
of mushrooms. inspect the work progress at the
grower’s farm. Each individual
Contribution of 75 popular dwelling must be able to produce
articles in different magazines of atleast one kilogram mushroom per
national repute. day to meet his family nutritional
requirement. Ready-made
Delivering of about 150 talks in mushroom beds are to be supplied
different training programmes/ to the mushroom growers. People
Kisan Melas/Kisan Gosthies/ prefer ready-made beds since they
Kisan Sammelan organized by lack time and patience to make their
different agencies. own mushroom beds.
Delivering of 35 talks on Meetings of the mushroom

television telecasted at growers are to be conducted once in
Doordarshan Kendra Raipur, three months for sharing of their
ETV and Local Channels on experiences and shortcomings if any
different aspects of mushrooms and transferring of any new
and plants diseases management. technology devised at the Centre.
Processing zones are to be set up in
Delivering of 25 talks on All India the rural areas by engaging rural
Radio on different aspects of women so that value added products
86
of mushroom can be prepared as part Leaflets and brochures have to

of cottage industry. be prepared regularly with up to
Establishment of a depository date details of technologies to
herbarium for tropical species of popularize mushroom cultivation in
mushrooms and publication of a Kerala State. Popular articles in
series of monographs on tropical magazines and media coverage are
species of mushrooms should be very essential to popularize
mushroom cultivation. Ready to
given attention.
cook series of mushroom recipes
have to be marketized to cope up
with the high-speed life style.
87
11. INFORMATION GATEWAYS
National Research Centre for Mushroom
Solan Director and Project Coordinator

National Research Centre for Mushroom, Chambaghat,
Solan 173 213 (Himachal Pradesh)
Telephone: (91) 1792-230451: Fax: (91) 1792-231207
Web: nrcmushroom.org
Email: [email protected]
SAU Based AICRP Centres
Ludhiana Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Dept. of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences and
Humanities,
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141 004 (Punjab)
Telephone: (91) 161-2400376/2401960 Ext. 330;
Fax: (91) 161-2403533
[email protected]
Coimbatore Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Deptt. of Plant Pathology,
Centre for Plant Protection Studies,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore – 641 003 (Tamil Nadu)
Telephone: (91) 422-6611336/6611426;
Fax: (91) 422-6611437
Email: [email protected]; prakasamv@gmail.
com; [email protected]
[email protected]
88
Faizabad Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

N.D. University of Agriculture & Technology,
Kumarganj, Faizabad 224 229 (Uttar Pradesh)
Telephone: (91) 5270-262012; Fax: (91) 5270-262072
[email protected]
Pantnagar Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Mushroom Research and Training Centre (MRTC),
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology,
Pantnagar 262 145 (Uttrakhand)
Telephone: (91) 5944-234564; Fax: (91) 5944-233473
Pune Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

College of Agriculture,
Pune 411 005 (Maharashtra)
Telephone: (91) 20-25537033/220; Fax: (91) 20-25537188
Raipur Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya,
Raipur 492 012 (Chhattisgarh).
Telephone: (91) 771-2103006; Fax: (91) 771-2442131
Udaipur Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Maharana Partap University of Agriculture & Technology,
Udaipur 313 001 (Rajasthan)
Telephone: (91) 294-2413612; Fax: (91) 294-2420447
[email protected]
89
Vellayani Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Kerala Agricultural University,
Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram 695 522 (Kerala)
Telephone: (91) 471-2381229; Fax: (91) 471-2381829
Nauni Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry,
Nauni, Solan 173 230 (Himachal Pradesh).
Telephone: (91) 1792-252140; Fax: (91) 1792-252242
ICAR Institute based AICRP Centres
Barapani Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

Division of Plant Pathology,
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region,
Umroi Road, Barapani 793 103 (Meghalaya).
Telephone: (91) 364-2570649; Fax: (91) 364-2570355
Ranchi Scientist in-charge, AICRP-Mushroom

The Horticulture & Agroforestry Research Programme
(HARP),
Plandu, Tata Road, PU Rajaulatu, Via Namkum,
Ranchi – 834 010 (Jharkhand)
Telephone: (91) 651-2260141; Fax: (91) 651-2260141
90
12. ATTRIBUTES OF MUSHROOM VARIETIES/STRAINS/
TECHNOLOGIES RELEASED
Important attributes of recommended mushroom strains and technologies released by
AICRP (mushroom)
Variety / Strain / Compost / casing requirements Salient features and response to biotic
Technology & abiotic stresses
NCS-100 of Agaricus Pasteurized compost High yielding single spore isolate
bisporus Peak yield in the first flush
Fruiting bodies tough with short stipe, average
weight 7.2
NCS-101 of A.bisporus Pasteurized/unpasteurized Small stipe; pileus stipe ratio 2.28 as compared
compost to 2.17 in strain S-11
Medium size fruiting bodies; average fruiting
91
body weight 8.2g as compared to 9.5g in strain
S-11
Peak yield in second flush
Suitable for cultivation in plains in winter under
natural /partially controlled conditions
Fruiting bodies are tough with good post harvest
quality
NCH-102 of A.bisporus Pasteurized compost High yielding hybrid variety
Suitable for cultivation on compost prepared by
short method especially suitable for the hilly
regions of the country
Fruiting bodies tough with short stipe
P-1 of A.bisporus Pasteurized/unpasteurized Long stipe, fruiting bodies open quickly, dark
compost brown gills
MS – 39 of A. bisporus Pasteurized/unpasteurized Medium sized fruiting bodies, light brown gills,
compost average toughness
NCB – 6 of A. bitorquis Pasteurized compost Grows at a temperature of 22-26oC
High yielding strain
Mushroom with superior shelf–life
Produces large size excellent quality smooth
fruiting bodies
Fruiting bodies about 3-5 cm in dia

Resistant to known mushroom viruses and
comparatively resistant to false truffle
Yields 15kg mushrooms from 100 kg compost
in 6 weeks of cropping, with 80 % yield in first
2-3 flushes under optimum growing conditions
92
NCB – 13 of A. bitorquis Pasteurized compost Grows at a temperature of 22-26oC
Prolific yielding strain
Produces large size excellent quality smooth
fruiting bodies suitable for fresh market
Fruiting bodies with superior shelf life
Fruiting bodies about 3-5.5cm in dia
Resistant to known mushroom viruses
Yields 15 kg mushrooms from 100 kg compost
in 6 weeks of cropping
Pleurotus florida Chemical treated or steam Suitable for cultivation under winter conditions
pasteurized substrate between a temperature range of 10 – 20oC
Fruiting bodies of light brown to pallid yellow
in colour and 6 – 12 cm in size, grows in clusters
Gives very high mushroom yield under
favourable temperature conditions
Pleurotus sajor-caju Chemical treated or steam Suitable for warmer regions of the country and
pasteurized substrate requires 22 – 28oC temperature for optimum
mushroom yield
Popular for its attractive shape, size and flavour
Fruiting bodies with 4-12 cm dia pileus and 2 –
5 cm long stalk and greyish brown in colour,
grows single or in clusters
Chemical treatment of Chemical treatment with 25 ppm Assured crop of oyster mushroom
substrate for oyster concentration of carbendazim and No infection from weed fungi like Trichoderma,
mushroom cultivation 500 ppm of formalin for 12 – 14 Penicillium, Sclerotium etc.
hours
Cultivation technology Overnight soaking of saw dust, Suitable under tropical and sub-tropical climates
of Black ear mushroom Draining of excess water, Popular for stomach and gastric disorders
93
(Auricularia polytricha) Mixing of wheat or rice bran 15-20 days for spawn run
@5.0% on dry weight basis, Fruiting starts after 20-25 days of spawning
Filling in 2 – 3 kg capacity in
polypropylene bags of 30 x 20 cm size,
plugging followed by autoclaving at
22 p.s.i. for 2 hours,
Mixing of wheat grain or saw dust
based spawn @ 5.0% and incubation
for 15 – 20 days for spawn run at
22-280C, Making of longitudinal slits of
10 cm x 2 cm size and hanging of
the bags in cropping rooms,
Maintaining of 80 – 85 % RH, temperature
25-320C, fresh air (2 – 3 times) each for 10 min/
day and 4 – 5 hours of diffused light
Supplementation of Neem cake @ 4 % on dry weight Higher mushroom yield and better quality
oyster mushroom basis during summer conditions or fruiting bodies
substrate with nitrogen wheat or rice bran @ 4 % on dry Strict watch on bed temperature is needed as
rich supplements weight basis during winter conditions supplements tend to increase the temperature
by 6 – 7oC
Spray treatment of 0.1% Spraying of beds at the time of pin Higher mushroom yield by 20 – 35%
rooting hormone head initiation of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Higher mushroom yield during first 15 days of
(Veradix–2 containing flushes with 0.1% solution of cropping

indole butyric acid) on Veradix - 2 Early first harvest by 1 – 2 days and has no
button mushroom beds effect in spawn run and case run
Better quality fruiting bodies
Mixing of ‘Phosphotika’ Mixing of ‘Phosphotika’ biofertilizer Higher mushroom yield by 15 – 20%
biofertilizer @ 0.5% containing phosphate solubilizing Early spawn run and early first harvest of
94
in compost at the time bacteria @ 0.5 – 1.0% in ready to mushrooms
of spawning spawn compost at the time of spawn Lower incidence of competitor moulds in
mixing. compost
Heavier and whiter fruiting bodies
Early first harvest by 2 – 3 days (post-spawning)
Early spawn run by 2-3 days and no effect on
case run
1.5% initial Nitrogen Nitrogen level between 1.5 to 1.75% Congenial for button mushroom growth
level in compost at the beginning of composting and Minimum growth of competitor moulds
C:N ratio in 25-30:1 Higher mushroom yield
Wheat straw/paddy Can be used alone and in combination Cheap and easily available
straw as the substrate with each other Give good growth of button mushroom
for button mushroom Higher mushroom yield
compost preparation
Shortening of the Maintaining of initial Nitrogen level Saving of time and labour
composting period for of 1.5% in compost and turning Higher compost from unit weight of the basal
button mushroom schedule at 0,2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16 ingredients
cultivation days and spawning
CACing: Spawned The contaminants free spawn run Reduction in time taken for case run
95
casing or mixing of compost is mixed in casing material Controlled and synchronized flushes
spawn run compost in at the time of casing Enhanced mushroom yield
casing material
Chemical sterilization Mixing of Formalin and Bavistin Checking of competitor moulds and yellow mould
of long method compost @ 1.5 liter and 50 gm/ton compost, disease
respectively 48 hours before Higher mushroom yield
spawning.

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25 Years of AICRP

All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom

National Research Centre for Mushroom

Printed: 2008, 1000 Copies

Cover Page: Stages of progress in mushroom research

Designed & Printed at:

Executive Summary vii

1. All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom: 1

2. History of AICRPM Centres 8

4. Region Specific Mushroom Varieties 30

6. Cropping System Research 52

7. Strategies for Pest and Disease Management 58

8. Technologies Transferred and Extension Services Rendered 63

9. Benefit Reaped by the Farmers 79

10. Milestones and Lamp Posts of the Project 82

11. Information Gateways 88

12. Attributes of Mushroom Varieties, Strains and Technologies 91

equally contributed in popularizing the mushroom even in remote areas of

The present publication aims at highlighting organizational set up and

Rajendra Prasad Tewari

2. Presently, there are 10 Co-ordinating and one co-operating Centres

3. Presently, there are 16 scientific, 12 technical, 7 administrative and 9

6. The project had been instrumental in coordinating and monitoring

7. As many as 914 wild mushroom specimens were collected by different

8. At present, four mushroom varieties namely, Agaricus bisporus,

9. Species and strains of different mushrooms performing better in

10. Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur under All India

11. Ananthan, an interstock hybrid of Pleurotus petaloides developed at

12. Ten mushroom varieties were released by TNAU, Coimbatore under

13. Amongst different strains of Agricus bisporus, strains P-1, NCS-12

14. Application of Phosphotika biofertilizer @ 1.0 % at the time of

15. Chemical treatment (Formalin 15 ml + Bavistin 0.5 g/10 kg compost)

16. Compost inoculated with mixed inoculum of Gilmaniella humicola +

19. Chemical treatment of paddy straw using carbendazim 75 ppm +

20. Supplementation treatment with deoiled soybean meal @ 2% of dry

21. Pleurotus fossulatus and Pleurotus florida were successfully grown

23. Blue oyster mushroom (Hypsizygus ulmarius) was successfully grown

24. In oyster mushroom cultivation, hollow beds resulted in substantial

25. An improvised air cooling system was developed by Vellayani Centre

26. Amendment of substrate with cotton waste followed by neem cake

27. The highest biological efficiency was recorded in milky mushroom

30. Cultivation of Lentinula edodes was standardized with wheat straw

31. Cultivation technology of Ganoderma lucidum was standardized using

33. At refrigerated conditions, dipping treatment in 100 ppm EDTA and

34. Dipping of the fruiting bodies of button mushroom (strain S-11) in

37. Paddy straw mushroom could be successfully cultivated in the inter

(v) Safe disposal of spent compost and casing materials in isolated

CO2 - carbon dioxide

1.1. Genesis and Network Kanpur (UP) and Kalyani (West

Table 1: Details of Centres under AICRP on Mushroom

Location Latitude/Longitude Year of Current

1.2. Mandate and Objective 2. To evaluate the promising and

1.3. On-Going Experiments

II. CROP PRODUCTION

III. POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY

IV. CROP PROTECTION

1.4. Man Power and Financial 1.5. Mechanism for Evaluation of

The sanctioned financial outlays Activities of the project are

Table 2: Plan wise budget (lakhs) allocation for different Centres

Table 3: Centre-wise manpower at different Centres