QUALITY TRAITS IN CULTIVATED

MUSHROOMS AND CONSUMER

ACCEPTABILITY
• Amongst various edible mushrooms species cultivated in
India (button, oyster, milky and paddy straw mushrooms),
white button mushrooms is the most important and accounts
for 85% of the total mushroom production.
• In India, this mushroom is cultivated under organized and
unorganized sectors.
• But during the period S-11 has been the commonly used
strain under all cultivation conditions.
• Now, farmers have started demanding higher productive
and better quality mushroom cultivars.
• Recently a number of strains have been received from other
countries but still they have to be tested under Indian
conditions before it is made available to the farmers for
cultivation.
 List of introduced parental strains /single spore selections
Varieties/ Yield(kg)/100kg compost in 6-8 weeks of cropping Originating Important quality traits
hybrids Breeder/Institute

Unpasteurized compost Pasteurized

compost

A) Agaricus bisporus
Varieties

1. S-11 10-14 15-18 Mental, Germany Long stiped, mushrooms open quickly,
dark brown gills, widely adopted, good
yield on LMC

2. S-791 8-9 14-16 Darlington, UK Large and stout fruitbodies more dry
weight, pink to light brown gills, high
yielding.

3. MS-39 6-8 12-14 Single spore selection Medium sized fruitbodies, light brown
gills

4. P-1 6-8 14-16 Poona Selection Long stiped, fruitbodies open quickly,
dark brown gills

5. NCS-100 8-10 13-16 NRCM, Solan Fruitbodies tough, short stiped, peak yield
in first flush

6. NCS-101 8-10 14-16 NRCM, Solan Fruitbodies tough with good post harvest
qualities, peak yield in second flush
 Varieties/ Yield(kg)/100kg compost in 6-8 weeks of Originating Important quality traits
hybrids cropping Breeder/Institute

Unpasteurized compost Pasteurized compost

Hybrids

1. U-1 - 14-18 Fritsche, holland Suitable for canning, nice white medium
sized fruit bodies

2. U-3 - 16-20 Fritsche, holland High yielding, suitable for fresh marketing,
(SSI of U-1) strip broad and small, suitable for canning

3. NCH-102 - 16-19 NRCM, Solan High yielding, uniform medium sized fruit
body
B) Agaricus bitorquis varieties

1. NCB-6 (RAB-50) - 12-14 Vedder, USA Medium sized white mushroom, more dry
weight, good yielding
2. NCB-13 (PDAB-55) - 13-15 Vedder, USA Large extra white fruitbodies, more dry
weight, high yielding

Hybrids

1. K-26 - 13-15 Fritsche, Holland Suitable for canning, good quality, high
yielding
2.K -32 - 13-15 Fritsche, Holland Long, stiped, easier to grow, more dry
weight.
Agaricus bisporus
White Bud Mushroom
Strain: M 7205
Qualities:
 Heavy, large mushroom with very good storage
 Very suitable for the fresh market
Characteristics:
This strain produces mushrooms with large, evenly
rounded caps which, according to the growing conditions,
is smooth to slightly scaly. The stem is white, cylindrical
and straight. Rather difficult species concerning the
fructification, but in the adequate growing conditions this
strain produces mushrooms of an excellent quality, with a
very long shelf-life.
Origin pan-European
Recommended substrate traditional or synthetic Agaricus-compost
Average yield 27 à 31 kg/ m² at a fill weight of 90 kg/ m² fully grown
compost
Agaricus bisporus
White Bud Mushroom
Strain: M 7206
Qualities:
Very tolerant and aggressive species with respect to growing
conditions and the compost quality
Rapid and exuberant budding, especially in 1° and 2° flush
Characteristics:
The cap is of a small to average size, nice and smooth without
risk of scales, and is carried by a short, thick stem. Is less
suitable for the fresh market, but is the ideal species for
cultivators wanting a profitable yield in a short term.

Origin pan-European

Average yield 28 à 33 kg/ m² at a fill weight of 90 kg/ m² fully grown compost

Agaricus bisporus
White Bud Mushroom
Strain: M 7215
Qualities:
Very popular, medium-size mushroom strain
Ability to produce larger as well as smaller mushrooms
Very good quality for the fresh market
Characteristics:
Very versatile strain, equivalent to some of the currently most
popular White Bud Mushroom strains worldwide. It has the
ability to produce both high-density medium and larger sized
fruitbodies and maintains high yields in both cases, even
though picking is easier when the fruitbodies are grown to
medium size. The caps are smooth and round.

Origin pan-European
Recommended substrate traditional or synthetic Agaricus-compost
Average yield 30 à 35 kg/ m² at a fill weight of 90 kg/ m² fully grown
compost
Agaricus bisporus
White Bud Mushroom
Strain: M 7218
Qualities:
Excellent, medium-size mushroom strain
Ability to produce larger as well as smaller mushrooms
Very good quality for the fresh market
Characteristics:
Versatile strain, very popular strain type worldwide. It
also has the ability to produce both high-density medium
and larger sized fruitbodies and maintains high yields in
both cases, even though picking is easier when the
fruitbodies are grown to medium size. The caps are
smooth and rounded.

Origin pan-European
Average yield 30 à 35 kg/ m² at a fill weight of 90 kg/ m² fully grown
compost
Agaricus bisporus
White Bud Mushroom
Strain: M 7219

Qualities:
 Medium-size mushroom strain
 Also has the ability to produce larger
mushrooms
 Very good quality fruit bodies
Characteristics:
Although this strain also has the ability to produce
both high-density medium and larger sized
fruitbodies, it is mostly used to grow medium sizes
and offers exceptionally high yields. Picking is easy,
caps are smooth and round.

Origin pan-European
Average yield 29 à 36 kg/ m² at a fill weight of 90 kg/ m² fully
grown compost
Agaricus bisporus var. hortensis
Portobello, Portabella, Champignon de Paris
Strain: M 7243
Qualities:
 commercialisation in open of closed form
 resistant to mushroom diseases
 excellent taste, beautiful color
 very good storage
Characteristics:
This heavy, brown-scaled mushroom with convex
cap and at the base thickened stem is and remains
one of the most appreciated mushroom-
species. Is successfully grown in caves as well as
beds, and commercialised with closed cap as
"Champignon de Paris” or with opened cap as
"Portobello” or "Portabella".
Origin pan-European
Average yield 23 à 28 kg/ m² at a fill weight of 90 kg/ m² fully
grown compost
 NCH-102

Attributes Photo
Cap Colour White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap dia 3.5 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Light Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.4 cm
Stipe length 2.6 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 17 ± 1 °C
Yield (kg/100 kg 18-19 kg
compost)
 U-3
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour Off White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 4.0 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Light pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.6 cm
Stipe length 1.8 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 17 ± 1 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 16-18 kg

compost)
 Bel-1
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 3.0 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.5 cm
Stipe length 2.6 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 16 ± 1 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 16-18 kg

compost)
 Bel-2

Attributes Photo
Cap Colour Off White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 3.9 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.8 cm
Av Stipe length 2.5 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 16 ± 1 °C
Yield (kg/100 kg 16-18 kg
compost)
 S-454
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 4.1 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Light pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.7 cm
Stipe length 2.6 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 16 ± 1 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 16-18 kg

compost)
 NCS-100
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour White
Cap Shape Flat
Average Cap size 3.4 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.3 cm
Stipe length 2.5 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 17 ± 2 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 16-19 kg

compost)
 NCS-101

Attributes Photo
Cap Colour White
Cap Shape Flat
Average Cap size 3.8 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Light pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.6 cm
Stipe length 3.1 cm
Temperature
Spawn 24 ± 2°C
run 17 ± 2 °C
Fruiting
Yield (kg/100 kg 16-19 kg
compost)
 S-11
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour Off White
Cap Shape Flat
Average Cap size 4.2 cm
Cap surface Smooth
Gill colour Dark pink to brown
Veil Opening Early
Av Stipe dia 1.2 cm
Av Stipe length 3.2 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 18 ± 2 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 14-16 kg

compost)
 DMR-button-03
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 4.3 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Whitish pink
Veil Opening Vey Late
Stipe dia 1.8 cm
Stipe length 1.7 cm
Temperature
Spawn 24 ± 2°C
run 17 ± 1 °C
Fruiting
Yield (kg/100 kg 20-22 kg
compost)
 DMR-brown button-06

Attributes Photo
Cap Colour brown
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 4.2 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.9 cm
Stipe length 1.8 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 18 ± 1 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 22-25 kg

compost)
 DMR-NBS-1
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour Pure White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 4.8 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Light Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.5 cm
Stipe length 1.8 cm
Browning Resistant
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 15 ± 1 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 22-25 kg

compost)
 DMR-NBS-5
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 4.0 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Light Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.2 cm
Stipe length 1.8 cm
Browning Resistant
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 15 ± 1 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 21-24 kg

compost)
 DMR-Button-04
Attributes Photo
Cap Colour Pure White
Cap Shape Dome shaped
Average Cap size 4.5 cm
Cap surface Scaly
Gill colour Light Pink
Veil Opening Late
Stipe dia 1.5 cm
Stipe length 22 cm
Temperature
Spawn run 24 ± 2°C
Fruiting 15 ± 1 °C

Yield (kg/100 kg 21-23 kg

compost)
• Besides button mushroom, there are number of oyster mushroom
species available in the country that can be grown during winter/
summer months. The species/ strains suitable for cultivation in
India are listed in the Table.
Sr. no. season Species/strain Yield g/kg dry substrate
A) Winter season 1) Pleurotus florida strain-III 500-800
1) P.ostreatus strain-III 500-600
1) P.ostreatus strain-IV 600-800
1) P eryngii 400-700

B) Summer season 1) P.sajor caju 600-700

1) P. florida 600-700
1) P.sapidus 500-600
1) P.djamor 500-600
1) P.membranaceus 500-600
1) P.cornucopicae-starin -II 400-500
Desired quality trait in cultivated mushrooms as per market/
consumer preference

1) White button mushrooms

• Extra white and uniform sized mushrooms.
• Medium size and unopened button shaped fruit bodies.
• Stipe broad and short, gills colour pink to light brown
• Tough mushroom with more dry weight
• Longer shelf life
• Good taste and aroma
• No insect infestation/damage
2) Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp)

• Extra white variety/ natural colored mushroom

• Medium sized and uniform non-wrinkled fresh mushroom
• Good taste, aroma and more dry weight
• Light brown mushrooms on drying
• No insect infestation/ damage
• Short stipe with large and fleshy pileus
3) Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea)
• Egg shaped and uniform unopened mushroom
• Bluish/ grayish colored mushrooms
• Good taste and aroma
• Tough and stout mushroom with more dry weight
• Longer shelf life
• No insect infestation/ damage
4) Milky mushroom (Calocybe indica)

• Uniform fruit body size

• Pure white colored smooth pileus
• Short, thick and small stipe.
• Fruit body with pleasant aroma
• Short duration flush break
5) Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes)

• Uniform fruit body size

• Smooth convex pileus without spots
• Short stipe
• Off white gills
• The yield and quality of mushrooms obtained by a grower
depends on the genetic makeup of the variety/ hybrid of
mushroom and the environmental conditions in which it is
grown.

• The character and overall performance of a variety is a result

of interaction between genotype and environment.

• The manipulations of genotype provide an opportunity for

reshuffling of genes and selection of new gene combinations
resulting in improvement of yield and quality.
Life cycle of mushroom

The cultivated mushrooms belong to highly evolved class of

fungi-Basidiomycetes. The life cycle of a typical basidiomycetous
mushroom has three phases:

• Homokaryotic haploid phase: initiated by meiosis

• Heterokaryotic (dikaryotic) phase: initiated by plasmogamy
but deferred karyogamy and
• The transient diploid phase: initiated by karyogamy in the
basidia.
Genetic manipulation in different mushrooms requires different
approach depending upon their sexuality and mating systems. In
mushrooms, generally two types of mating system exist.

1. Homothallism: The mode of sexuality wherein a single spore

can form fruit bodies. Homothallism is of two types, primary and
secondary.

(i) Primary homothallism: Primary homothallism refers to the

sexuality pattern wherein a uninucleate single spore (containing a
single post-meiotic nucleus) is capable of forming fertile
mycelium and fruit bodies. Classical example of this kind of
sexuality behavior is Volvariella volvacea. Hence the genetic
manipulation is easier and most of the time the selection of a
single spore can yield a superior strain for cultivation.
(ii) Secondary homothallism:
• Secondary homothallism refers to the sexuality pattern wherein
a binucleate single spore (containing two post-meiotic nuclei) is
capable of forming fertile mycelium and in turn fruit bodies.

• The self-fertility of the single spore is due the presence of two

nuclei containing different mating type factors.
• Agaricus bisporus, is the best authentic example of this system
of sexuality.
• In this mating type system the two post-meiotic nuclei migrate
into each of the two spores on the basidia making it a unique
example of homothallic condition.
• Among the 2-spored basidia, not all the spores give rise to
fertile mycelium and fruit bodies. These spores may carry same
mating type allele due to random migration of post meiotic
nuclei.
Fig. Secondary homothallic pattern of life cycle in Agaricus bisporus
2. Heterothallism:

• The sexuality pattern wherein a single spore (carrying a post-

meiotic nucleus) germinates to give rise to self-sterile
homokaryotic mycelia having nuclei of the same genotype.

• Hyphal fusion occurs between compatible monokaryons to

produce dikaryotic mycelia with binucleate cells and clamp
connection, producing fruit bodies.

• The edible mushrooms exhibiting heterothallism are Agaricus

bitorquis, Lentinula, Pleurotus, Pholiota, Tremella,
Auricularia, Coprinus etc.

• The heterothallism is regulated genetically by mating type

factors and is of two types: i) unifactorial and ii) bifactorial.
(i) Unifactorial heterothallism: In this type single mating factor
(gene A) determines the sexuality behavior.

Fig. 3. Diagram showing unifactorial bipolar heterothallism

(ii) Bifactorial heterothallism: Here two unlinked mating type
factors (genes A and B) govern the sexuality behavior. All the
mating combinations between homokaryons give rise to
compatible reactions and further to the formation of fruit bodies.

Fig. 4. Diagram showing bifactorial tetrapolar heterothallism

Methods of mushroom breeding

1. Introduction: Introducing mushroom cultivars bred in

different environments (countries) to a changed environment
is the easiest and quickest method of crop improvement.

2. Selection: Selection can be made from multi spore or single

spore cultures.
(i) Multi spore selection: Selection amongst multi spore
cultures was mainly used by the commercial spawn maker for
the purification/rejuvenation of old and degenerated cultures.

(ii) Single spore selection: Selection amongst single spore

isolates has been the most widely followed method of
developing superior strains owing to the secondary
homothallic life cycle of Agarics bisporus.
3. Hybrid breeding: It involves mating (anastomosis) of self-
sterile and cross compatible homokaryotic isolates.

(i) Mating of compatible homokaryons: The compatible

homokaryons are grown side by side in petridishes on agar
medium. The presence of the fluffy growth (dense mycelia) at
the junction(hyphal confrontation) zone is indicative of hybrid
formation.

(ii) Evaluation of hybrids: After confirmation of hybrid status

using fructification test, the new hybrids are evaluated for yield,
quality and resistance/ tolerance to insect pests and diseases in
initial evaluation trials (IET).