Abstract

D. Senthilnambi, A. Eswaran and P. Balabaskar

The present study was conducted with the aim of finding out the most favourable month for the cultivation of Calocybe indica and records the influence of temperature and relative humidity on mushroom yield. Significant variation in the yield and other parameters existed when C. indica was grown during different months of 2004 to 2005. In summer months (March to July), a general increase in mushroom yield was observed. The maximum yield was recorded in the month of July 2005 (450.6 g per bed). However, the yields obtained in the months of April, May and June 2005 was found to be on par with that of the above observation. Mushroom attained harvesting maturity almost one day earlier during monsoon months. In addition, during this period, the average weight of individual mushroom was found to be comparatively high. Interestingly, a marginal but comparable reduction in stipe length was noticed during summer months