Effect of Vermicompost–Soil–Cocopeat Casing Mixture on Growth, Morphology, and Biological Efficiency of Milky Mushroom (Calocybe Indica)

Abstract

The study on the effect of casing materials on Calocybe indica was carried out from April 30 to August 1 at the Science Business and Innovation Laboratory of HICAST. The experiment was conducted under ambient environmental conditions, where the temperature ranged between 21–27°C and relative humidity remained within 65–80%. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with four treatments Soil + Farmyard Manure (1:1), Soil + Spent Mushroom Substrate (1:1), Cocopeat + Vermicompost (2:1), and Vermicompost + Soil + Cocopeat (2:1:1) each replicated four times to evaluate their influence on yield, number of fruiting bodies, and morphological traits of Calocybe indica. The Vermicompost + Soil + Cocopeat mixture significantly outperformed other treatments, producing the highest number of fruiting bodies (8.5 and 3.25 in first and second harvests), greatest total yield (487.5 g), and highest biological efficiency (97.5%). Soil + FYM followed with 435 g yield and 87% efficiency, while Cocopeat + Vermicompost gave moderate performance (383.75 g, 76.75% efficiency). Soil + SMS consistently resulted in the lowest yield (358.75 g, 71.75% efficiency) and poorest morphological characteristics. In terms of morphology, the Vermicompost based casing produced the longest and thickest stipes and one of the widest pileus diameters. Based on these findings, the 
Vermicompost + Soil + Cocopeat casing mixture is suggested for improved growth and yield of Milky mushrooms under similar environmental conditions.