Climate / Temperature: Mushrooms, known in regional languages as khumbh, chhatrak, garjana, and dharti ke phool, thrive in various climatic conditions. The ideal temperature for growing mushrooms generally ranges between 28°C to 32°C.

Water Demand: Mushrooms require a significant amount of moisture. It is essential to maintain humidity levels of 85-90% during cultivation for optimal growth.

Soil: Mushrooms are not grown in soil like traditional crops. Instead, they thrive on organic matter such as straw, sawdust, or agricultural waste, which serves as their growing medium.

Major Varieties:

There are several types of edible mushrooms, including:

• Dudhchhatta Mushroom (Calocybe species): Recognized for its attractive appearance and delicious taste, this variety is primarily cultivated in regions like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
• Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella species): Also known as Chinese mushroom, this variety was first cultivated in China in 1822 and is commonly grown in coastal states of India such as West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.

Sowing of Crops: Mushroom cultivation involves preparing the substrate (e.g., wheat or paddy straw) and inoculating it with mushroom spawn.

Suitable Time of Sowing:

• For Dudhchhatta mushrooms, sowing is typically done from July to October and February to April.
• For Paddy Straw mushrooms, the optimal sowing period is from June to September.

Field Preparation: For Dudhchhatta mushrooms, the wheat straw is soaked in water overnight and then mixed with a fungicide (Carbendazim) if necessary. The straw is drained and kept at approximately 70% moisture content before sowing.

Crop Cycle: The cultivation cycle for mushrooms can be completed in about 22 to 25 days, with the entire process from preparation to harvesting taking roughly a month.

Water Management: Watering should be done carefully, ensuring that the substrate is moist but not overly saturated, especially during the initial growth phase.

Weed Management: Since mushrooms are not grown in soil, traditional weed management practices do not apply. However, keeping the growing area clean and free of contaminants is crucial.

Harvesting: Mushrooms are ready for harvest when they reach the button stage, typically about 3 to 4 days after the formation of the fruiting bodies. It is essential to harvest them at the right time to ensure quality and flavor.

Diseases & Disease Prevention:

Mushroom cultivation is susceptible to various diseases, which can be prevented through proper sanitation, the use of disease-resistant strains, and maintaining the right environmental conditions during growth.