Physical parameters of casing materials on yield parameter of white button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (longe. Imboch)]

Combinations of different casing mixture showed significant variation in water holding capacity with the maximum (95.95 per cent) in T7 treatment (FYM + Soil + Sand (2:1:1). Similarly, different casing mixture showed significant variation on bulk density varies from 37.75 – 65.40 per cent. The casing materials have ability to increase yield and yield parameters like length and diameter of stalk, thickness of pileus etc. of white button mushroom. The maximum length and diameter of stalk was found in T7 - FYM + Soil + Sand (2:1:1), representing 3.04 cm and 2.84 cm., respectively. The significant variation on diameter and thickness of pileus (cm) was also found maximum in T7 - FYM + Soil + Sand (2:1:1), representing 5.49 cm and 1.89 cm. against 4.01 and 1.14 cm.in case of control. The casing materials have ability to increase the fresh and dry matter on fruiting body of mushroom with maximum in T7 - FYM + Soil + Sand (2:1:1), representing 1192.41 and 173.42 g, against 763.89 g and 82.8(g) in case of control.