Screening of Agaricus bisporus strains and casing variables for improving the yield potential of mushrooms

Eight Agaricus bisporus strains, A-15, Delta, 459, U3, AB-P, AB-B, PB-5 and S11, with six casing variables were analyzed in order to study their effect on the yield, texture and colour of mushrooms. Physiochemical properties of casing mixtures were quite variable where highest porosity (%) was observed in FYM+CP with highest potassium (1.16 %) and carbon (12.22%) content. Among all the casing variables, FYM+CP (4:1) showed highest yield as well as number of fruiting bodies after 30 days for all the selected strains that is A-15 (17.3 kg/q), Delta (19.6 kg/q), 459 (21.8 kg/q), U3 (16.3 kg/q), AB-P (14.6 kg/q), PB-5 ( 14.6 kg/q), AB-B (13.5 kg/q) and 511 (17.5 kg/q). Strains A-15, Delta and 459 showed maximum colour (L-value), while Delta, 459 and AB-B strains showed higher texture (N) value that inferred their good quality parameters. The pileus diameter was maximum in Delta (4.5 cm) and PB-5 (6.0 cm) for the entire casing variables, however, the stipe length was maximum in PB-5 (2.5 cm), U3 (2.5 cm) and 511 (2.9 cm). FYM+CP casing combination were found to be the best for yield potential followed by FYM+VC and FYM+ BC. Strains, 459, followed by Delta, A-15 and U3 were found to be the most potential strains for cultivation under Punjab conditions.