Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation

(Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation)
of 11 mushroom producing countries China, USA and Netherland are three major ones. They
share more than 60% of the world production. China is a largest producer and consumer of the
mushroom. It accounts for 45.81% of total world mushroom production, just half of the world
mushroom production. About 5% of its total domestic mushroom production is exported and
rest 95% is consumed by China itself. Per capita consumption of mushroom in China is more
than 10 kg/person/year in comparison to 3kg/person/year in many European countries.
In India mushroom industry is one of the emerging agribusinesses and about 90%
mushroom economy of India is dominated by button mushroom and rest 10% is subjected to
the Pleurotus and other specialty mushrooms likeCalocybeindica, Auricularia,
Volveriellaetc.Indian mushroom industry hasseasonal and hi-tech status.About 60-70% of total
Agaricusproduction is restricted to few hi-tech mushroom growing industries. However, rest
amount of production is being produced by seasonal growers during winter. Our country
contributes about more than 1 lakh ton (3% of the world mushroom production). Out of 28
states and seven union territories Panjab ranks first in mushroom production followed by
Utarakhand and Haryana. In Indian conditions the cost : benefit ratio of mushroom production at
seasonal growing scale is about 1:2. It increases by 1:4-5 ifmushrooms are grown for whole
year at large scale with hi-tech facilities.
Phases of MST (Mushroom-biotech)
Mushroom bio-tech requires several precise phasespurely based on scientific facts.Each
previous procedure is essential to the next one andall collectively performs the success in
mushroom biotechnology. Any missing or faulty practice may cause trouble, which could lead to a
substantially reduced mushroom yield or products and their marketing values.The majorsteps
involvein mushroom bio-techniques are: (a) collection/selection of desirable mushroom fruits; (b)
raising pure culture; (c) spawn preparation; (d)construction of crop room/huts; (d)preparation of
selective substrate; (e) crop husbandry and protection; (f) post-harvest management and (g)
recycling of Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS).
a. Collection/Selection of desirable mushroom germplasm: The selection of mushroom
germplasm ratherdifficult but can be made easy if, mushroom growers have ample knowledge
of species. Selection can be made for higher yield, long fruiting time, long shelf life, attractive
size, solid texture, colour, flavourand aroma and resistance quality to adverse climatic
conditions, pests and diseases. Local as well as international market, purpose of cultivation
(research, nutritional and medicinal), availability of substrates, status of mushroom industry
(high-tech or seasonal) and environmental requirements for growth and fruiting of mushrooms
which can be met without excessively costly systems of mechanical control are other important
factors that may also consider during strain selection.After all mushroom culture must perform
the desirable trait to its best genetic potential undersuitable growth conditions.
b. Raising pure culture: Pure culture of mushroom can be raised by microscopic spores and
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