Mushrooms are rich in nutrients, minerals, vitamins, proteins, and bioactive substances such polysaccharides, steroids, phenolic compounds, and terpenes. The demand for mushroom cultivation is increasing daily as more people become aware of its high nutritional value and gustatory appeal. This review study aims to provide a comprehensive view of mushroom farming technologies. The expression of non-traditional crops in the farming system enhances the profitability of the farmer. Mushroom farming is a successful agricultural enterprise. It is a limited-space technique that only needs a small expenditure. Cultivation of oyster mushroom is a source of national income and helps to reduce poverty. Pleurotus species are capable of growing on a variety of agro-wastes and lignocellulosic materials, and a number of different culture substrates and growth conditions have been explored. The use of wastes in mushroom production offers an added benefit: tackling environmental, economic, and global problems while managing food waste sustainably and producing high-quality food from low-quality waste. Pleurotus species of mushrooms have medicinal potential because of their nutritional or chemical composition. Mushrooms can be utilized to empower women. In a small village, women can grow oyster mushrooms at home to meet their nutritional needs and make money.

Pleurotus spp., Agro-wastes, Temperature, Relative humidity, Nutritional value, Yield

Management from ‘waste-to-wealth’ is essential for more sustainable farming globally, and increasing mushroom production in India seems a viable and attractive option. By educating people and raising awareness about the nutritional and health potential of mushrooms, adding these mushrooms to our diet can enrich our culinary experience while providing an array of health benefits. It is also important to draw attention towards the integration of mushroom technology into successful Agri-residue management programs, livelihood programs, national nutrition programs, and women's empowerment and rural development initiatives. From this review paper it is concluded that to increase the productivity of Pleurotus mushroom, it is necessary to understand its production technology as well as favourable environmental condition such as room temperature, relative humidity dark period and appropriate aeration. Bacterial and fungal diseases are most commonly occurred due to unfavourable temperature, relative humidity and inappropriate aeration. In mushroom cultivation it entirely depends on the environment where it is cultivated and the room needs to be in proper sanitation in order to avoid contamination. The grower engaged in mushroom cultivation should also have knowledge of substrate quantity and spawn rate.

Sarita, Roop Singh, Kalpna Yadav, Karan Singh, Priyanka and Gagandeep Singh (2023). Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom: A Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8): 412-418.