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Abstract: India is a country of varied agro-climatic regions supporting different crops. There has been tremendous increase in crop production for the last three decades which has been possible primarily due to more area (Rangaswami, 1980) being brought under cultivation and imporved technology. However, these efforts have been insufficient to keep pace with the alarming increase in population in this country. Consequently, there is a great need for a search for an additional vocation to the conventional agriculture. Mushroom growing is such a production programme resulting food rich in protein, vitamins and minerals from agricultural waste or low cost materials. Consequently, this vocation, if put into pracitce, not only leads to the improvement of dietary and economic standard of the masses, but also helps in combating environmental pollution due to the burning of agri-wastes. It may be mentioned here that Punjab leads in cereal production in India and contributes 60-70% of wheat to the Central pool. The State produced 7.9 million tonnes of wheat and 3.1 million tonnes of rice in 1980 (Anonymous, 1980) resulting in the availability of large amounts of wheat and paddy straws. In addition several other agri-wastes such as straws of Raya, Oat, Barley, Saccharum, mentha stalks, poultry litter and ginning mill waste, are also easily available. All these materials have been tested as substrate for raising mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus and Volvariella diplasia) under Punjab coditions in cross-ventilated mushroom houses without heating or cooling arrangements. Natural climatic conditions of Northern India, especially of Punjab State, are suitable for cultivating A. bisporus from September to March and V. diplasia from April to August.
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