Cultivation of White button mushroom

Button Mushroom (Agaricus spp.) is the most popular mushroom variety grown and consumed the world over. The species being grown in most farms is the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) belonging to Class Basidiomycetes and Family Agaricaceae. Mushrooms are highly proteinaceous and are used as food. The white button mushroom is sold as fresh mushroom or is canned and made into soups, sauces and other food products. Protein in mushrooms have 60-70 % digestibility and contains all the essential amino acids. It has medicinal properties also. A high amount of retene is present in the button mushroom which is supposed to have an antagonistic effect on some forms of tumours. White button mushrooms are effective in combating cancer. White button mushrooms are powerful anti-oxidants which help to combat cancerous cells.Casing mixture plays an important role in the cultivation of white button mushroom.This book deals with the role of different agro wastes as casing mixture for cultivation of white button mushroom .