Mushroom is an important crop of fungal origin that can be cultivated on several agricultural residues. There are about twenty mushroom species grown commercially all over the world, specifically known for their attractive flavours and textures that make food delicious. Mushrooms not only contain protein, vitamins and minerals, but also have low calorie content with little fat and sugar. They provide a high amount of qualitative nutrition required for our growth and strong immune system. This is a complete manual on the cultivated edible mushrooms covering all the information from their morphological features to post-harvest preparations. The structure, natural diversity, food and medicinal values, impact of climatic factors on their cultivation and cultivation methodologies are all explained in an easy-to-understand way. The economics of mushroom cultivation and ancillary information about mushroom centres, sources of spawn and machineries as well as addresses of leading mushroom farms and exporters have been elaborated in the text.
The text is intended for the undergraduate students of Agriculture, Biotechnology, Botany and Microbiology. Besides, it will serve as a handy compendium for those engaged in mushroom development programmes as well as those interested in establishing their own mushroom farms.About the AuthorSUBRATA BISWAS, Ph.D., is Senior Scientist (Plant Pathology), ICAR Research Complex, NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, Tripura. He possesses vast research experience in the area of mushroom cultivation. He is the life member of several professional societies such as Indian Phytopathological Society, Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, and Mushroom Society of India. He has authored a book on Parasitic Diseases of Mulberry, and published more than thirty research papers in national and international referred journals.|M. DATTA, Ph.D., is Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex, NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, Tripura. He has 34 years of research experience in the areas of soil science, agroforestry and farming system. He has published seven books, 55 research papers in reputed Indian and international scientific journals, 13 book chapters, 13 articles, and presented 24 abstract papers in conferences /symposiums/workshops. |S. V. NGACHAN, Ph.D., is Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya. He is the recipient of the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Award for Agricultural Research in tribal areas for the biennium 2007–2008. As an institutional head, he was also awarded National Ground Water Augmentation Award in 2008. Besides, he became the Fellow of Soil and Water Conservation Society of India in 2010. He has published many research papers in various national and international reputed journals and authored a dozen of books and bulletins from his institute. At present, in addition to other research programmes, he is coordinating the mushroom research and developmental works in whole of NEH Region of India.
