Hi Surabi,
Please let us know where are you put up?? There are many types of edible mushrooms that can be cultivated. Let us know the variety you are interested in.There are different types of edible mushroom in cultivation in India. Different types of edible mushrooms are Table Mushroom(button mushroom), Giant Puffball, Oyster Mushroom, Morchella etc.
Button Mushroom (Agaricus spp.) is the most popular mushroom variety grown and consumed the world over. In India, its production earlier was limited to the winter season, but with technology development, these are produced almost throughout the year in small, medium and large farms, adopting different levels of technology.
In India, button mushrooms are grown seasonally and in environment controlled cropping houses. White button mushroom requires 20-280 C for vegetative growth (spawn run) and 12-180 C for reproductive growth. Besides that it requires relative humidity of 80-90% and enough ventilation during cropping. Seasonally, it is grown during the winter months in the north-west plains of India and for 8-10 months in a year on the hills. However, with the advent of modern cultivation technology it is now possible to cultivate this mushroom anywhere in India.
The growers can take on an average 3-4 crops of white button mushrooms in a year depending upon the type and varieties cultivated. Factors affecting the yield of the crop both in terms of quality and quantity are incidence of pests/pathogens and non-availability of pure quality of spawn.
Oyster mushroom can grow at moderate temperature ranging from 20 to 300 C and humidity 55-70% for a period of 6 to 8 months in a year. It can also be cultivated in summer months by providing the extra humidity required for its growth. In hilly areas above 900m. (m.s.l.), the best growing season is during March/April to September/October and in the lower regions from September/October to March/April.
This mushroom is not as popular as white button mushroom in the domestic market. A few units are cultivating it commercially for export market. Cultivation of this mushroom on commercial basis would be more profitable as compared to white button mushroom as capital costs are low.
The cultivation of this variety of mushroom is very simple and economical in rural areas where raw materials and facilities required are easily available.
If you are totally new then Biocentre, Hulimavu, Bangalore is providing training on mushroom farming. Please contact the Senior Assistant director of Horticulture there.
Regards
Ashiwni S