Mushrooms have emerged as one of the most important biological resources for ensuring food, nutrition, health, environmental sustainability, and livelihood security in the modern world. The present book provides a comprehensive and scientific overview of mushroom biodiversity, cultivation technologies, medicinal importance, waste valorisation, environmental relevance, and socio-economic applications with special emphasis on Indian conditions. The book covers a wide range of topics including mushroom biodiversity, wild edible mushrooms, spawn production technology, cultivation of oyster, paddy straw, medicinal and shiitake mushrooms, post-harvest management, value addition, and recent advances in mushroom research and production systems.

Special emphasis has been given to the role of mushrooms in sustainable development, circular economy, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, waste recycling, livestock productivity, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The book also highlights the enormous potential of mushrooms in converting agricultural and industrial wastes into high-value nutritious food and useful by-products.

Written in a simple and systematic manner, this book will serve as a valuable reference for students, researchers, teachers, mushroom growers, entrepreneurs, extension workers, and policy planners interested in mushroom science, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.

Chapter 1. Emerging Potential of Mushroom Cultivation in Chhattisgarh State
Chapter 2. Biodiversity and Conservation of Mushroom in Chhattisgarh Region
Chapter 3. Wild Edible Mushrooms: Diversity, Sustainable Harvesting and Market Potential
Chapter 4. Mushroom Biodiversity with Special Reference to Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and its Utilization in Indian Context
Chapter 5. Advances in Mushroom Production: Implications for Food, Nutrition and Livelihood Security
Chapter 6. Mushroom Cultivation and Research in India: Progress, Challenges and Future Outlook
Chapter 7. Mushroom Spawn Production Technology: Principles, Practices and Quality Control
Chapter 8. Oyster Mushroom Cultivation (Pleurotus spp.): Production Technology and Management
Chapter 9. Advances in the Production Technology of Paddy Straw Mushroom
Chapter 10. Production Technology of Medicinal Mushrooms
Chapter 11. Button Mushroom Cultivation: Production Technology and Management
Chapter 12. Milky Mushroom Cultivation and Production Technologies
Chapter 13. Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation under Indian Conditions
Chapter 14. Nutritional and Medicinal Importance of Mushrooms
Chapter 15. Mushroom Diseases, Pests and Their Management
Chapter 16. Advances in Post-Harvest Technology and Value Addition of Edible Mushrooms
Chapter 17. Biowaste Valorisation through Mushroom Cultivation and Beneficial Microorganisms
Chapter 18. Valorisation of Spent Mushroom Substrate for Improving Livestock Health, Productivity and Environmental Sustainability
Chapter 19. Relevance of Mushrooms to Environment
Chapter 20. Role of Mushrooms in Poverty Alleviation
Chapter 21. Macrofungi-Based Innovations for Waste Management, Human Health and Societal Upliftment
Chapter 22. Mushrooms in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Chapter 23. The Role of Mushrooms in the Circular Economy