Introduction
Mushroom production is a growing business in India as the demand is increasing from last few years. Mushroom cultivation is a matter of practice and technical knowledge rather than labor intensive farming with a high value of return in short time. Mushroom production has some key raw materials to get good yields. Spawn, Compost and Casing Soil are three raw materials are used in it.
Abstract
The white button mushroom (Agaricusbisporus) is very popular throughout the world and is the most important mushroom of commercial significance in India. It can be successfully cultivated in places where the environmental conditions are favorable but it is cultivated in North India in winter seasons due to the favorable conditions. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth is 22°C -25°C and that for fruit body formation 14°C -18°C and a high percentage of relative humidity. The substrate for cultivation is specially prepared compost. The mushroom cultivation rooms should have facilities for temperature control and pasteurization processes. Inside the house, shelf or tray system is usually adopted for increase the area of cultivation. Buildings are constructed of wood or bamboos or hollow cement bricks or double walls. Although good hygiene is the key of business but many competitor molds and pest can arose a huge problem during the cultivation and lead to a low product.