Understand the key environmental and infrastructure requirements for successful mushroom farming. Learn about temperature, humidity, ventilation, and modern facilities for higher yields.
Introduction
Mushrooms are highly sensitive organisms that
require specific environmental conditions for optimum growth. Unlike
conventional crops, they do not depend on sunlight but rely on controlled temperature,
humidity, ventilation, and hygiene. A well-designed infrastructure is
critical for ensuring consistent yields and disease-free production.
The requirements vary depending on the
mushroom species, but the common goal is to create an artificial
microclimate that mimics the natural habitat of fungi.
Climatic Requirements
(a) Temperature
Each mushroom species thrives under different
temperature ranges:
- Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus): 14–20°C
- Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp.): 20–30°C
- Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes): 12–20°C
- Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica): 25–35°C
- Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella volvacea): 28–35°C
👉 Thus, Button & Shiitake require low-temperature
controlled houses, while Oyster, Milky, and Paddy Straw can be
cultivated in tropical climates with minimal infrastructure.
(b) Humidity
Relative humidity (RH) is critical for
mushroom fruiting:
- Ideal range: 80–95% RH
- Low humidity → drying of fruiting bodies
- High humidity → bacterial and fungal infections
(c) Ventilation
& CO₂ Levels
- During incubation, CO₂ concentration of 2000–5000 ppm is
tolerated.
- During fruiting, CO₂ should be reduced to <1000 ppm for
proper cap development.
- Cross-ventilation or exhaust fans are necessary to regulate air
exchange.
Infrastructure for Mushroom
Farming
Growing Rooms or Sheds
Mushroom growing rooms must be designed to
maintain optimum microclimatic conditions.
- Low-Cost Structures:
Thatched sheds, bamboo houses, or mud-wall rooms (suitable for Oyster,
Milky, Paddy Straw).
- Medium-Cost Structures:
Brick rooms with polythene insulation and evaporative cooling systems.
- High-Cost Commercial Units: RCC
or polyhouse structures equipped with automated climate control,
humidifiers, and air handling systems.
Example: A standard
button mushroom unit requires 3–5 growing rooms, each of size 10 m ×
6 m × 3 m, with an insulated roof and walls.
Substrate Preparation Units
- For Button Mushroom: Composting yards with controlled
aeration and pasteurization tunnels are required.
- For Oyster & Milky Mushrooms: Simple boiling/steam
sterilization of straw is sufficient.
- Equipment Needed:
Steam boiler, sterilization drums, pasteurization chambers.
Spawn Production Laboratory
(Optional for Farmers)
Spawn (seed) is the backbone of mushroom
cultivation. Although most farmers purchase spawn from research institutes or
private labs, some establish small-scale spawn units.
Basic infrastructure includes:
- A sterile laboratory with laminar airflow chamber
- Autoclave for sterilization
- Incubation room for spawn multiplication
- Refrigerator for storage
Establishing a spawn lab requires moderate
investment but ensures independence and better quality control.
Environmental Control Systems
To maintain desired conditions:
- Humidifiers – to
maintain >85% RH
- Exhaust fans & blowers – to
regulate CO₂ levels
- Cooling systems –
evaporative coolers, air conditioners, or automated HVAC systems
- Monitoring devices –
digital hygrometers, CO₂ sensors, and thermometers
Case Study: Commercial
mushroom farms in Haryana use pad-and-fan cooling systems that reduce
temperatures by 8–10°C during peak summer, enabling year-round button mushroom
production.
Hygiene & Sanitation Requirements
Mushroom houses are highly prone to
contamination by molds, bacteria, and insects. Strict hygiene protocols must be
followed:
- Disinfection of rooms with 2–4% formalin or bleaching
powder solution
- Workers should wear masks, gloves, and clean footwear
- Entry restricted to authorized staff
- Waste substrate and spent compost should be disposed away from the
growing area
Infrastructure Cost Estimation
(India, 2025)
|
Type of Unit |
Scale |
Estimated Cost (₹) |
Remarks |
|
Low-cost shed (bamboo/thatch) |
Small-scale (100 bags) |
50,000 – 75,000 |
Suitable for Oyster, Paddy Straw |
|
Semi-commercial brick shed |
Medium-scale (500 bags) |
2 – 3 lakh |
Good for Milky & Oyster mushrooms |
|
RCC insulated rooms with cooling |
Large-scale (2–3 tonnes/month) |
20 – 25 lakh |
Required for Button mushroom farming |
|
Automated climate-controlled unit |
Industrial scale (>50 tonnes/year) |
1.5 – 2 crore |
High ROI, suitable for export |
Sustainable & Modern
Infrastructure Innovations
- Vertical Farming Racks:
Space-efficient multi-tier shelves for mushroom bags
- Solar-Powered Cooling Units:
Reduce electricity costs in rural areas
- Hydroponic Substrates:
Experiments with organic waste hydroponics for substrate preparation
- Smart Monitoring Systems (IoT):
Sensors for real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and CO₂
Conclusion
Infrastructure and environmental control are
the backbone of mushroom farming. Farmers cultivating tropical mushrooms
like Oyster, Milky, and Paddy Straw can start with low-cost sheds, while Button
and Shiitake farming require high investment in climate-controlled units.
Adoption of modern innovations like vertical farming, IoT-based monitoring, and
solar cooling will ensure sustainable and profitable mushroom production in the
future.
suggested reading
1.Mushroom Farming in India: Scope, Benefits, and Global Importance
2.Classification & Types of Cultivated Mushrooms: Edible, Medicinal, and Commercial Varieties
3.ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR), Solan
