This book, which is selected in nature to Agaricus bisporus, presents fundamental guidelines for mushroom production together with the advances in research in this field. The first chapter presents the history of button mushroom cultivation, mushroom classification, distribution, and nutritional...

Mushrooms represent a small branch in the evolution of the fungal kingdom Eumycota and are commonly known as the 'fleshy fungi'. They are non-photosynthetic organisms that evolved from algae (Stamets and Chilton, 1983). Out of 1.5 million existing fungi species, 160,000 species are considered as...

As a heterotrophic organism, Agaricus bisporus requires carbon compounds produced by green plants (autotrophs) for its nutrition and subsequent metabolism (Wood and Fermor, 1985). In nature, the mushroom feeds on plant biomass as its main carbon source. In commercial production, it grows on compost ...

The composting process cannot be accomplished unless there is an interaction between physical, chemical, and biological factors. A deeper understanding of the composting mechanism and the main factors affecting it is essential, as many biotic and abiotic factors influence compost quality and may...

Quality traits including nutrient accumulation, morphology, and texture affect the nutritional status and palatability of edible button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Research in the field of genetic manipulation is still at an immature stage in Basidiomycete mushrooms. Over the decades, efforts to ...

The process of Agaricus bisporus cropping is a tricky road controlled by environmental or climatic factors at each cultivation phase, starting from compost preparation to harvesting. Two main phases of growth delimit mushroom production: a vegetative phase ('spawn run') and a reproductive phase...

Most mushroom farming has been carried out using classical farming practices, giving one of the main reasons for low mushroom yield; in traditional mushroom farms routine practices are more labor intensive. Moreover, controlling insects, pests, and diseases is much more challenging and needs more...

After the Agaricus bisporus crop matures, it can be subject to various injuries, bruising, and quality degrading elements, both during and after harvest. Some of these degradation indicators include discoloration, browning, moisture loss, texture softening, and nutrient or flavor loss. These can...

This chapter provides information on the recommended conditions in the controlled atmosphere storage of various crops and their cultivars and strains, such as apples, apricots, aubergines, avocados, bananas, basil, breadfruits, broccoli, Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera), lima...

This chapter focuses on the origin and history, botany and life cycle and types and cultivars of members of the family Agaricaceae. The production and culture and nutritive value of these crops are also presented.