Solan: A breakthrough was achieved in cultivation of a rare mushroom by Indian Council of Agricultural Research after it was successfully able to grow monkey head mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) through artificial cultivation.
Hericium erinaceus (Monkey head Mushroom) is a medicinally important mushroom reported to inhibit the growth of various kinds of cancers.
This mushroom was successfully cultivated on autoclaved wheat straw (fruiting temperature 20-25°C) at this Directorate (working under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Reasearch) located in Solan city of Himachal Pradesh using indigenous tissue culture from a mushroom fruit body collected during mushroom surveys.
The Directorate has standardized tunnel pasteurization technology for cultivation of oyster mushroom. This will promote multiple use of tunnels that are presently being used for pasteurization and conditioning of compost for button mushroom cultivation only.
This technology will also pave way for commercialization of oyster mushroom cultivation, said Manoj Kumar, an ICAR spokesman.
Using this method, pink oyster mushroom, one of the fastest growing Pleurotus species and suitable for cultivation during warmer conditions, was cultivated on pilot scale.
Recently coconut wastes mainly rachis and inflorescence parts were also found suitable for its cultivation.
Mushroom is a nutritious vegetable with high content of protein, Vitamin B12, folic acid, lysine and tryptophan amino acids and a natural source of vitamin D. In addition, it does not have any cholesterol, has high fibre content and high potassium.
These attributes make mushroom a health food (nutraceutical). In India, mushroom cultivation started in mid sixties.
Mushrooms are cultivated seasonally under natural conditions and also round the year under controlled conditions. India has been exporting more than 50 percent of the total mushroom production.
Elaborating the importance of mushroom cultivation Dr. Manjit Singh, Director, DMR, Solan said, “The role of mushroom in tackling unemployment problem and malnutrition in the country is very crucial.â€
He also informed that during last two decades mushroom production in India has increased from 10,000 tons to one lakh tons.
According to him, mushroom cultivation is not confined to hilly states but its cultivation is being done in plains, North Eastern and southern parts of India.
In a 250 square feet area, cultivator can get income approximately Rs.3000 (USD 70) per month. This is an additional income to the poor families in the rural areas. Value-added products like dry mushroom,
mushroom pickle, mushroom powder can further enhance the profits.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.
Formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on 16 July, 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Very much appreciate the research work being done by the expert botanist/microbiologists in Solan.
However the need is to make the fruits of such successful researches, available to common man, through publicity and electronic media. I would like to inform that the USA,Govt’s free email news letters
are being sent from hundreds of websites, ranging from finding cure of a common disease to their data
bank for public utility and benefit. ICAR is a vast organisation, engaged in its own web, and a research scholars does not have the energy to follow around the adm. Dept.
The Mushroom research Centre of ICAR in Solan may be pleased to think on finding/cultivating special
class of mushrooms which has high content of VIT D, and capable to increase the Immunity. If the
Research scholars are interested to keep contact with me. I would appreciate to exchange views.
Thanking you. Dated 11/12/12 at Calcuuta.