Production Technology of Oyster Mushroom

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sp.) belonging to Class Basidiomycetes and Family Agaricaceae is popularly known as ‘dhingri’ in India and grows naturally in the temperate and tropical forests on dead and decaying wooden logs or sometimes on dying trunks of deciduous or coniferous woods. It may also grow on decaying organic matter. The fruit bodies of this mushroom are distinctly shell or spatula shaped with different shades of white, cream, grey, yellow, pink or light brown depending upon the species. It is one of the most suitable fungal organisms for producing protein rich food from various agro-wastes or forest wastes without composting. Cultivation of different varieties of oyster mushroom was initiated in India in the early sixties. Commercial cultivation began in mid-seventies.