Major Commercial Mushroom Varieties in India
Selecting the appropriate mushroom variety depends on regional climatic conditions, temperature control infrastructure, and local market access. White Button mushroom dominates commercial markets, requiring cool temperatures (14°C to 18°C during cropping) and intensive pasteurized composting.
Oyster mushrooms (dhingri) thrive across wider tropical and subtropical temperature ranges (20°C to 30°C) with simple boiled straw substrates, while Milky mushrooms represent an ideal summer crop thriving in high heat (30°C to 35°C) and high humidity.
- White Button (Agaricus bisporus): High market demand; requires controlled climate rooms or seasonal winter sheds with pasteurized compost.
- Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp.): Easiest for smallholders; uses chopped wheat or paddy straw with low capital expenditure.
- Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica): Robust white tropical mushroom with extended shelf life suited for hot summer months.
Substrate Preparation, Spawning and Casing
Successful button mushroom production requires strict scientific composting to create a selective nutrient medium for mushroom mycelium. Compost is prepared through short or long composting methods using wheat straw, poultry manure, urea, and gypsum, followed by thermal tunnel pasteurization (58°C to 60°C).
Once cooled to 25°C, high-quality grain spawn is mixed into the compost (spawning) and incubated in dark rooms for spawn run. Once mycelium permeates the compost, a 3 to 4 cm casing layer of neutralized peat moss or well-decomposed coir pith with spent compost is applied to induce pinhead formation.
- Substrate Pasteurization: Eliminates harmful competitor molds (Trichoderma, Coprinus) and insect nematodes.
- Spawn Quality: Always acquire certified pure culture grain spawn from ICAR-DMR Solan or state agricultural universities.
- Casing Layer Role: Retains moisture, supplies physical support, and triggers floral pinhead initiation.
Government Subsidies under MIDH and Training
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and National Horticulture Board (NHB) provide capital investment subsidies for establishing commercial mushroom cultivation units, spawn production laboratories, and compost pasteurization facilities.
Subsidies range from 40% to 50% for eligible individual growers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and entrepreneurs. Comprehensive technical training is conducted regularly by the ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) in Solan, Himachal Pradesh.
- NHB Capital Subsidy: Financial assistance for climate-controlled growing rooms, air handling units, and cold storages.
- Spawn Unit Assistance: Grants for setting up certified laboratory spawn production facilities.
- Institutional Training: Hands-on vocational training modules offered through state KVKs and ICAR-DMR.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
ICAR - Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR), Solan ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
Which is the easiest mushroom to grow for beginners in India?
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus / dhingri) is the easiest for beginners due to simple substrate preparation (boiled straw), low investment, and broad temperature tolerance.
What temperature is required for button mushroom fruiting?
Button mushrooms require temperature between 14°C and 18°C with high relative humidity (85% to 90%) during the fruiting and cropping phase.
Are government subsidies available for mushroom farming?
Yes, capital subsidies are provided through the National Horticulture Board (NHB) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Seeds, Crops & Cultivation guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.