Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella) Cultivation in India

Volvariella volvacea (paddy straw mushroom) is cultivated on paddy straw bundles in tropical states — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar. Composted straw is pasteurised in drums at 60°C, then inoculated with spawn. Pinheads appear in 8–10 days; harvesting every 2 days for 3 weeks. A 10 kg block yields 1–2 kg mushroom. No cooling required — ideal for Bihar's hot summers. Cooperative growing units supply wet markets in Patna, Kolkata, and Tirunelveli. Dried mushrooms export to China. ICAR-DMR Solan provides free spawn to tribal SHGs under national mushroom mission.