The four major commercial mushroom species
- White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus): Accounts for the largest market share in India; temperate crop grown during winter or in climate-controlled rooms at 14°C to 18°C on pasteurized compost.
- Oyster mushroom / Dhingri (Pleurotus spp.): Easiest to cultivate across tropical and subtropical states at 20°C to 30°C on simple boiled paddy or wheat straw bags; requires no casing layer.
- Milky mushroom (Calocybe indica): Native tropical mushroom flourishing during hot summer months at 30°C to 38°C on boiled straw covered with an alkaline casing soil layer.
- Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea): High-temperature tropical mushroom growing at 32°C to 40°C in humid coastal regions (Odisha, Bengal, Tamil Nadu), harvested within 10 to 14 days.
- Specialty mushrooms: High-value medicinal and culinary mushrooms like Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Ganoderma grown on sterilized hardwood sawdust.
Temperature and substrate requirements summary
Button mushrooms require specialized compost and cool temperatures; oyster mushrooms require high humidity (80-85%) with ambient ventilation; milky mushrooms require summer heat and casing; and paddy straw mushrooms require fresh soaked paddy straw bundles under high humidity.
Training and spawn procurement
Growers should obtain pure spawn and hands-on production training from the ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) Solan, State Agricultural Universities, or accredited Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Official source
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ICAR - Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
Which mushroom is easiest for beginners to grow in India?
Oyster mushroom (Dhingri) is easiest because it grows on simple boiled straw without requiring complex composting or casing.
Which mushroom can be cultivated during hot summer months?
Milky mushroom (Calocybe indica) thrives in summer temperatures between 30°C and 38°C with high humidity.
Where can farmers receive official mushroom cultivation training?
ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) in Solan, state agricultural universities, and district KVKs conduct regular training.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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