a) Agro-climatic requirement: In India, button mushrooms are grown seasonally and in environment controlled cropping houses. White button mushroom requires 20-28 0C for vegetative growth (spawn run) and 12-18 0C for reproductive growth; relative humidity of 80-90% and enough ventilation during cropping. Seasonally, it is grown during the winter months in the northwest 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.
b) Varieties / Strains: The strains which are mostly cultivated in India are S-11, TM-79 , Horst H3, Ooty 1 and Ooty (BM) 2.
c) Casing: The compost beds after complete spawn run should be covered with a layer of soil (casing) about 3-4 cm. thick to induce fruiting. The casing material should have high porosity, water holding capacity and pH 7-7.5. Mixtures like garden loam soil and sand (4:1); decomposed cowdung and loam soil (1:1) and spent compost (2-3 years old); sand and lime are commonly used as casing. The casing soil before application should be either pasteurized (at 66-70 0C for 7-8 hours), treated with formaldehyde (2%) or steam sterilized. The treatment needs to be done at least 15 days before the material is used for casing. After casing is done the temperature of the room is again maintained at 23-28 0C and relative humidity of 85-90% for another 8-10 days.
d) Harvesting: It is done at button stage and caps measuring 2.5 to 4 cm. across are ideal for the purpose. The first crop appears about three weeks after casing. Mushrooms need to be harvested by light twisting without disturbing the casing soil. Once the harvesting is complete, the gaps in the beds should be filled with fresh sterilized casing material and then watered. About 10-14 kg. fresh mushrooms per 100 kg. fresh compost can be obtained in two months crop.
e) Important pest and disease: The insect pests mostly observed are nematodes and mites. Many diseases like Dry Bubble (brown spot), Wet Bubble (White Mould), Cobweb, Green Mould, False truffle (Truffle disease), Olive green mould, and Bacterial blotch affect mushroom cultivation. Adopt appropriate and timely control measures against pests & diseases to avoid failure of crop.
