John Miller
Mushrooms are fungi that feed on decaying material in nature and can grow in a variety of substrates, including manure. The Agaricus family, which includes the popular white button mushrooms, creminis, and portobellos, can grow in manure, although not all do. Manure is often used in commercial cultivation for culinary mushrooms, but it is not very practical for home use. To make a suitable substrate, manure must undergo composting by heating it to 72°C to destroy harmful microorganisms. The compost is then pasteurized again to remove any remaining contaminants. The Produce Safety Standards propose a nine-month interval between applying raw manure and harvesting mushrooms to ensure food safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are white mushrooms grown in manure? | Almost every edible mushroom that grows in manure belongs to the Agaricus family, but not all Agaricus mushrooms grow in manure. |
| Manure safety | Research shows that heat generated during normal composting kills human pathogens in manure. |
| Manure preparation | Manure needs to undergo composting. A mix of manure and straw is heated to 72°C, which will destroy the “bad” microorganisms and benefit the good ones. Afterward, the compost is pasteurized again to remove the remaining contaminants. |
| Manure alternatives | Mushrooms can grow in a variety of substrates, including straw, hardwood sawdust, coco coir, vermiculite, wood chips, and coffee grounds. |
| Mushroom growing conditions | Mushrooms grow best in dark, moist, and cool conditions, with a minimum temperature of 15°C. |
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What You'll Learn
- Manure must be pasteurised or sterilised to kill harmful bacteria and fungi
- Manure is mixed with straw and heated to 72°C to destroy harmful microorganisms
- Horse manure is more acidic and less dense in nutrients than cow manure
- Manure must be left to cool and settle for a fortnight before mushroom spawn is added
- Mushrooms grown in manure belong to the Agaricus family, some of which are poisonous
Manure must be pasteurised or sterilised to kill harmful bacteria and fungi
Manure is a popular substrate for growing mushrooms, especially the culinary varieties. The traditional material for growing mushrooms is horse manure, but cow manure is also used. It is important to note that not all types of manure equally meet the growth requirements of these fungi. For example, some mushroom species exclusively prefer the growing conditions of horse dung since it is more acidic and decomposes more quickly. On the other hand, cow manure has a more neutral pH and is more dense in nutrients.
When using manure as a substrate, it is crucial to pasteurize or sterilize it to kill harmful bacteria and fungi. This process also eliminates unwanted contaminants that can compete with the mushrooms for space and resources. One method of pasteurization involves placing the manure in a sealed, airtight grow bag and sterilizing it in a pressure cooker at 240°F for three to four hours. Another method is to heat the manure compost to 72°C, which will destroy harmful microorganisms while benefiting the good ones.
The Produce Safety Standards propose a nine-month interval between the application of raw manure and harvesting to ensure the safety of the mushrooms. Additionally, the Food Safety Modernization Act and the Mushroom Good Agricultural Practices program provide guidelines for controlling potential food safety hazards in mushroom cultivation. These regulations aim to ensure that any composting treatment claiming to reduce levels of human pathogens must be scientifically valid and meet specific microbial standards.
By pasteurizing or sterilizing the manure substrate and following the recommended safety guidelines, individuals can safely grow mushrooms for culinary or personal use while minimizing the risk of contamination.
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Manure is mixed with straw and heated to 72°C to destroy harmful microorganisms
Manure is a valuable source of nutrients for crops and mushrooms. However, it can also contain microorganisms and pathogens that may cause illness in humans and animals. To make manure safe for mushroom cultivation, it must be pasteurized or sterilized.
One method of pasteurization is to mix manure with straw and heat it to 72°C. This process kills harmful microorganisms while preserving beneficial ones. The straw provides bulk and structure to the mixture, while the heat generated during composting destroys pathogens. This method is commonly used in commercial mushroom cultivation but may not be practical for home use due to the specialized equipment required.
The temperature of 72°C is crucial for effectively destroying harmful microorganisms. At this temperature, most bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are eliminated. Higher temperatures can also be used, such as pasteurization at 158°F for 30 minutes, but care must be taken not to destroy the beneficial nutrients in the manure that are essential for mushroom growth.
Additionally, the time duration of heat treatment is important. For example, composting manure at 60°C is effective for destroying most bacteria, but it may require a longer duration, such as up to 15 days with periodic turning, to ensure the destruction of all harmful microorganisms.
By mixing manure with straw and heating it to 72°C, mushroom growers can create a safe and nutritious growing medium that supports the optimal development of mushrooms while minimizing the risk of contamination.
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Horse manure is more acidic and less dense in nutrients than cow manure
Manure is often used as a substrate to grow mushrooms, both in commercial cultivation and for culinary mushrooms. While most edible mushrooms are cultivated on a wood-based substrate, some of the most popular culinary mushrooms are grown in manure. These include the White Button mushrooms, which are the world's most cultivated mushroom, and its more mature versions, Creminis (Baby Bellas) and Portobellos.
When choosing the right manure for your garden or farm, it is important to understand the unique benefits and challenges of each type. Horse manure, for instance, is light and fibrous, and improves soil aeration and drainage. It has a higher fibre content and breaks down faster, which is excellent for loosening heavy soils. However, it has moderate NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) values and must be composted to avoid introducing weed seeds.
On the other hand, cow manure is dense, moisture-retentive, and ideal for improving soil structure and boosting organic matter. It has a more neutral pH and is more dense in nutrients. It is also generally safer for most plants and easier to compost. Cow manure is a valuable source of key nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, magnesium, and calcium, as well as certain micronutrients.
Therefore, horse manure is more acidic and less dense in nutrients than cow manure. This is because cow manure has a more complex digestive system, leading to manure that is more decomposed than horse manure. As a result, horse manure is more suitable for certain types of mushrooms, such as Coprinus radiatus and Panaeolus campanulatus, which prefer the more acidic and quickly decomposing conditions of horse dung.
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Manure must be left to cool and settle for a fortnight before mushroom spawn is added
Mushrooms are fungi that feed on decaying material in nature. They can grow in a variety of substrates, from wood chips to sawdust, straw, coffee grounds, and manure. Manure is a popular substrate for growing mushrooms, especially commercially, as it is a rich, fertile, and moisture-retentive growing medium.
When using manure to grow mushrooms, it is important to ensure that the manure is safe and free from harmful pathogens. The heat generated during the initial composting process kills human pathogens, and further pasteurization can remove any remaining contaminants. Additionally, the Produce Safety Standards propose a nine-month interval between the application of raw manure and harvesting to ensure safety.
If you are using fresh manure, it is recommended to pile it into a heap and fork it over to mix well every couple of days for a fortnight until the heap has cooled and settled. This process ensures that the manure is properly decomposed and ready for mushroom growth. The traditional material for growing mushrooms is horse manure, which can be purchased from a local garden centre or nearby stables.
Once the manure has cooled and settled, it is time to add the mushroom spawn. You can purchase mushroom spawn online or from seed catalogues. The spawn should be planted approximately 2 inches deep, with 8-10 inches of space between each planting. Keep the culture in darkness at around 70°F for about three weeks to encourage the mycelium to spread. After this stage, you can follow the specific care instructions for your desired mushroom variety.
While growing mushrooms in manure can be successful, it is important to note that most edible mushrooms are cultivated on wood-based substrates, and not all types of manure meet the growth requirements of fungi. Additionally, growing mushrooms in manure can be quite involved and may not be practical for home use.
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Mushrooms grown in manure belong to the Agaricus family, some of which are poisonous
A notable group of poisonous Agaricus is the clade around the yellow-staining mushroom, A. xanthodermus. One species reported from Africa, A. aurantioviolaceus, is said to be deadly poisonous. Agaricus, when still young and most valuable for eating, can be easily confused with several deadly species of Amanita, including the "death cap".
While most edible mushrooms are cultivated on a wood-based substrate, some of the most popular culinary mushrooms are grown in manure. The Agaricus family includes the common ("button") mushroom (A. bisporus) and the field mushroom (A. campestris), the dominant cultivated mushrooms of the West. A. bisporus, commonly known as the cultivated mushroom, is cultivated in more than 70 countries and is one of the most commonly and widely consumed mushrooms in the world. It has two colour states while immature – white and brown – and additional names for the mature state, such as chestnut, portobello, portabellini, button and champignon de Paris.
The use of manure in mushroom cultivation is quite common, especially in commercial cultivation for culinary mushrooms. To make a suitable substrate, manure needs to undergo composting. This involves heating a mix of manure and straw to 72°C to destroy harmful microorganisms, followed by pasteurisation to remove any remaining contaminants. The heat generated during this process kills human pathogens in the manure, making it safe for growing mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
White mushrooms are typically cultivated on a wood-based substrate, such as straw, sawdust, or wood chips. However, manure is also used as a growing medium for mushrooms, and some species, like Coprinus radiatus and Panaeolus campanulatus, prefer the conditions of horse dung.
To grow mushrooms in manure, you need to prepare a mushroom substrate. This involves mixing manure with straw and heating it to 72°C to destroy harmful microorganisms. The compost is then pasteurised again to remove any remaining contaminants. After allowing the mixture to cool, mushroom spawn is planted approximately 2 inches deep and kept in darkness at 70°F for 3 weeks.
Research shows that the heat generated during the composting process kills human pathogens in manure. Additionally, the Produce Safety Standards propose a nine-month interval between applying raw manure and harvesting mushrooms to ensure food safety.
You can purchase manure from local garden stores or stables, or you can use manure from your own animals if you have any. Just make sure to follow the proper pasteurisation and composting procedures to create a safe growing medium for mushrooms.
