Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Yield of Button Mushroom <i>(Agaricus bisporus) </i>L

Abstract

Button mushroom <i>(Agaricus bisporus) </i>is most popular amongst all cultivated mushrooms. Need of the hour is to increase its production per unit area/quantity of the compost. Physical as well as chemical mutagens are frequently applied to increase the crop production. In an effort, studies were conducted to see the effect of the gamma radiation on vegetative mycelium as well as on productivity of <i>A</i>. <i>bisporus. </i>Young-developing mycelium of <i>A</i>.

<i>bisporus. </i>was subjected to seven different doses of gamma radiation i.e. 0.2 to 1.4 kGγ. The spawn obtained by radiated mycelium was inoculated in the compost for mushroom production. It has been observed that gamma radiation up to 1.0 kGγ accelerated the mycelial growth as well as crop production in all treatments. The total time period for mycelial run was reduced while the increase in productivity varies from 10 to 50 percent in different doses of gamma radiation except at 1.2 and 1.4 kGγ which resulted in deleterious effect. 1-0 kGγ dose of gamma radiations showed best results in both the mycelial growth and crop productivity of <i>A</i>. <i>bisporus.</i>