Thailand's forests are recognized as being home to an abundance of wild mushrooms, and many edible mushrooms from the wild have the potential for commercialization. Some reports have shown that certain substances extracted from mushrooms inhibit disease in plants. At the same time, mushroom cultivation holds out hope for farmers looking for new products to cultivate. With health awareness among the public on the rise, mushroom consumption is now on the increase.

In 2001, the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in cooperation with Arunyik Mushroom Center successfully developed a culture technique for a specie collected locally, the parasol mushroom [Macrolepiota gracilenta (krombh.) Moser]. However, the yield from these early cultivation remained relatively low. The laboratory thus engaged in a study of wild mushrooms in order to obtain information on the environmental factors effecting mushroom production at the laboratory level and field trials.

Appropriate nutrients and other suitable environmental factors lead to the stimulation of mycelial growth and fruiting body production,which in turn serves to increase the growth rate of mushrooms. In our studies, we have varied the presence of major nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and minor components such as Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe) and mangenese (Mn), as well as vitamins and proteins,and the growth rate of mushroom is monitored.

Our studies have shown that an increase in phosphorous concentration results in a higher dry weight of mushroom. Higher yields also required certain temperature conditions and pH levels. The cultivation technology developed in the laboratory has been tested in field trials in three main areas of Thailand (Loei, Ratchaburi and Prajubkirikhun provinces) in order to determine a suitable environment for mushroom production. In addition, new strains of mushroom for breeding have been developed in our laboratory using spore germination techniques.These new strains will be determined for their productivity and morphology of fruiting bodies in the laboratory.

In order to reduce the cost of mushroom cultivation,natural waste products such as bagases will also be tested as a potential substrate, and the nutrients of the fermented bagasse used for mushroom cultivation will be analyzed in detail.This research will also help famers make efficient use of local materials.

Market availability at affordable price has been a considerable factor in the increased consumption of mushrooms. Mushroom cultivation also offers an economic opportunity for farmers,since a high value crop can be grown on a small amount of land. With huge leaps in mushroom cultivation technology, the cultivation of mushroom is likely to grow considerably in the future.