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ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research Chambaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh – 173213, India (An Institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

Research

Need-based research theme areas at ICAR–Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan

ICAR-DMR, Solan conducts need-based research across key areas of mushroom science and technology, covering production practices, crop protection, genetic improvement, nutrition, utilization and post-harvest technology.

1. Crop Production

This section works on compost production, supplementation, agronomic practices, crop management and casing soil for white button mushroom cultivation. It also develops cultivation technologies for oyster, shiitake, paddy straw, milky and other mushrooms, including the evaluation of agricultural wastes. Work includes standardizing cultivation technologies for specialty mushrooms such as Calocybe indica, Lentinula edodes, Hericium, Cordyceps and Auricularia species, residue studies, and successful cultivation of Morchella.

2. Crop Protection

This section focuses on the management of mushroom pests and diseases and the development of integrated pest management (IPM) technologies for mushroom cultivation.

3. Crop Improvement

Research focuses on improving button, oyster, shiitake, paddy straw and milky mushrooms. Single-spore isolation and hybridization of different mushroom strains are used to develop high-yielding, disease- and pest-resistant mushrooms with improved quality traits.

4. Crop Nutrition, Utilization and Post-Harvest Technology

This section works to improve the post-harvest shelf life of button mushrooms and develop preservation methods and value-added mushroom products. Products described on the institute's research page include snack bars, instant mushroom soup powder, oyster mushroom spread, shiitake and vegetable soup mix, multigrain mushroom bread and fortified health-drink powder.