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Scientific: Calocybe indicaLevel: Medium

Milky Mushroom

The perfect summer cropping variety with an exceptionally long fresh shelf-life.

Market Price
₹120 - ₹180 per Kg
Production Cost
₹50 - ₹65 per Kg
Profit Range
50% - 65%

Milky Mushroom

Calocybe indica

Biological Spawn Grade AYield Optimize

Variety Overview

Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica) is a beautiful, robust white mushroom native to tropical India. Unlike Button mushrooms which demand expensive sub-zero chiller setups, Milky mushrooms grow phenomenally in hot summer, tropical plains without heavy AC support. It is highly valued for its thick solid stems, attractive clean white appearance, and superb shelf life of 3-5 days at room temperature (and up to 15 days in refrigeration). Highly popular for small to mid-scale commercial growers in central and southern India.

Optimal Farming Parameters

Temperature Variables

25°C - 35°C (Ideal for Indian Summers)

Must maintain tight controls in respective cropping rooms.

Required Humidity (RH)

80% - 85% RH

Regulated through modern high pressure misting systems.

Production Substrate

Chopped Paddy Straw or Wheat Straw

Carefully analyzed agricultural bio-waste combinations.

Mycelium Incubation Time

20 - 25 Days

Conducted inside fully dark incubation chambers.

Active Cropping Phase

25 - 30 Days

Flushes occur in multiple automated picking cycles.

Casing Layer Status

Required

Essential for mycelium protection & pins activation.

Market Advantages

Excellent Heat Tolerance

Requires no heavy cooling equipment, performing brilliantly between 28°C and 35°C.

Minimal Operating Cost

Extremely low electricity budget since heating/cooling costs are drastically minimized.

High Shelf Stability

High density tissue reduces dehydration, making it highly suitable for long-distance transport.

High Biological Efficiency

Yields up to 100% of dry substrate weight under standard commercial parameters.

Step-by-Step Farming Protocol

1

Substrate Pre-treatment & Sterilization

Chop fresh wheat/paddy straw into 2-4 cm bits. Soak in warm water with carbendazim and formalin (chemical sterilization) or expose to hot boiling water sterilization for 3 hours.

2

Bagging & Grain Inoculation

Spawn the sterilized straw in layers inside high-gauge transparent PP bags (3-4 layers of grain spawn). Pack firmly to optimize mycelium colonisation.

3

Spawn Run Chamber Configuration

Place inoculated bags in dark, warm incubation rooms at 25-30°C. Within 20-25 days, thick white cottony mycelium wraps the entire straw block.

4

Casing Layer Application

Cut bags horizontally into halves. Apply a 2-3 cm thick steam-pasteurized casing soil (sandy loam mixed with calcium carbonate/gypsum). Water adequately.

5

Cropping & Light Trigger

Move casing blocks to cropping units with 80% humidity, clean fresh air, and light diffusion (approx 200-500 lux). White button-shaped pins emerge in 8-12 days.

Supply Dynamics & Subsidies

Milky mushroom is a highly profitable option for farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal during dry summer spells. It is extensively sold in wholesale markets as a summer substitute for button mushrooms.

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