Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that reproduces through spores rather than seeds. The body of a fungus is called a mycelial colony, which is a network of tiny filaments called hyphae. The above-ground portion that we typically refer to as a mushroom is the fruiting structure, which develops from underground strands called mycelium. Mushrooms can be cultivated at home, and lightning-strength jolts of electricity have been found to significantly increase the yield of certain mushroom species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method of reproduction | Fungi reproduce by producing spores |
| Spores | Very small, 1000 or more could fit on a pinhead |
| Spores dispersed by | Wind, water droplets, streams, animals |
| Number of spores released | A single mushroom from a fungus in the phylum Basidiomycota can release more than one million spores a day |
| Lightning | Lightning-strength jolts of electricity can more than double the yield of certain mushroom species |
| Spores collection | Cut the stem off a mushroom and place the mushroom cap on a piece of paper. Cover the cap with a glass and leave it overnight. The spores will fall from the gills onto the paper |
| Storing spores | Fold the paper to lock in the spores. Slide the folded paper into a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator |
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What You'll Learn
Spores and spore dispersal
Mushrooms are the source of spores, which the fungus spreads for reproduction. The body of a fungus is called the mycelial colony, a network of tiny filaments termed hyphae. The hyphae are branched filaments that resemble plant roots. They connect to spread nutrients and oxygen around the mycelium, and their thin cellular walls also facilitate the removal of waste products.
Fungi and plants are sessile (immobile). They cannot walk or fly to new habitats, so spores are crucial for extending their range. Most fungal spores are single cells, and they can travel beyond the physical limits of their parent into more distant territories. The spores are often dispersed from slits or tubes underneath the mushroom's cap. They cover the surface of the gills or pores on the underside of the cap.
Spore dispersal is a two-step process: spore discharge or release, followed by dispersal away from the parent fungus. Fungi have evolved various mechanisms for this process. The majority of fungi use the wind to disperse their tiny spores, but some use water or animals. For example, the stinkhorn fungi produce a horrible-smelling slime that attracts flies. The flies then deposit the spores in new locations via their faeces.
Some fungi, like cup fungi, have a different method of spore dispersal. In these fungi, the surface of the cup is lined with the spore-producing asci. As the spores in an ascus mature, fluid pressure builds up until it is sufficient to force the spores out through the top. In some species, there is a little lid at the top of the ascus that is forced open to release the spores, while in others, the tip of the ascus ruptures.
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Lightning and electricity
Mushrooms do not use seeds to reproduce. Instead, they reproduce by spreading spores, which are dispersed from slits or tubes underneath the mushroom cap. The gills of a mushroom are the source of these spores, which are produced by specialised hyphae. These spores are extremely small, with 1,000 or more fitting on a pinhead. Fungi typically rely on the wind to disperse their spores, but some use water, streams, or animals. For example, the stinkhorn fungi produce a foul-smelling slime that attracts flies. The flies then deposit the spores in new locations via their faeces.
Takaki's team believes that this technology can be commercialised and used in collaboration with mushroom farmers. They have also begun experimenting with other plant species, such as daikon radishes, rapeseed plants, beans, and lilies, with early tests showing positive results.
While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, it is believed that the electricity travels through the ground during a lightning strike, delivering a weakened charge to the fungi near the strike zone. This sudden burst of energy triggers a reaction in the mushrooms, leading to increased growth and reproduction.
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Natural growth conditions
Mushrooms are a part of the fungi kingdom and reproduce through spores rather than seeds. The body of a fungus is called the mycelial colony, a network of tiny filaments called hyphae. The mycelium, or body, of a fungus is usually located underground. The above-ground portion that we think of as a mushroom is actually the equivalent of a fruiting structure, produced from these underground strands. The gills are the source of spores in a mushroom.
Specialized hyphae produce spores so small that 1,000 or more could fit on a pinhead inside the gills. The majority of fungi use the wind to disperse their tiny spores. Some fungi use water droplets, streams, or animals to spread their spores. For example, the stinkhorn fungi produce a horrible-smelling slime that attracts flies. The flies then deposit the spores in new locations via their feces.
Fungi must produce large volumes of spores because they often die if they do not land in a suitable environment. A single mushroom from a fungus in the phylum Basidiomycota can release more than one million spores a day. These mushrooms have two stages of dispersal. The first is powered by surface tension release, which shoots the spores out into the wind.
Some mushrooms, such as puffballs, do not have gills or tubes, and some do not even have caps. They appear in fields or other open areas and can vary in size from smaller than golf balls to almost as large as volleyballs. The outer covering of the barometer earthstar is sensitive to meteorological conditions. During wet weather, the outer covering remains open, and spores are dispersed in the normal puffball manner. During dry weather, the outer covering contracts and closes in on the inner core, squeezing out any remaining spores.
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Home cultivation
Mushroom cultivation at home is a beneficial activity that does not require a lot of care and attention. It can be done successfully on a shoestring budget, in your backyard, with standard household items.
To begin, you will need to purchase spawn from a local or online mushroom cultivation supplier. The spawn is the mycelium, or the thread-like cells that grow from spores, which you will introduce to a suitable substrate. The substrate is the material that you want to grow your mushrooms on, such as straw, banana tree trunks, corn stalks, coffee grounds, or sawdust.
Before inoculating your substrate with the spawn, you will need to treat it. This can be done through pasteurization, sterilization, a lime bath, a peroxide bath, or cold fermentation. Once your substrate is treated, you can introduce the spawn.
After introducing the spawn, you will need to allow the mycelium to permeate the substrate fully. This is called colonization. The spawn will grow and generate heat, so it is important to maintain a compost temperature of 75°–80°F and keep the relative humidity high to minimize drying of the compost surface or the spawn.
Once the substrate is fully colonized, you can trigger mushroom development by adjusting the temperature, light, humidity, and airflow to the conditions that your chosen species prefers. Mushrooms are typically harvested in a 7- to 10-day cycle, but this may vary depending on the environmental conditions and the stage of development.
When harvesting, make sure to include the stem of the mushroom when pulling it out of the bed. It is recommended to harvest the mushrooms when they are still young, as they are more delicious at this stage.
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Spores in gills
Mushrooms multiply through spores, which are produced on a surface called a hymenium. The hymenium most familiar to people is a set of gills. The gills are the source of spores in a mushroom. The spores are produced on the faces of the gills and then ejected into the air. This process is known as ballistospory.
Gills are one way to pack a lot of spore-producing hymenium into a small area. The gills spread apart as they reach the edge of the cap, and many mushrooms use this space to grow extra gills, called partial gills. Some mushrooms grow multiple tiers of these. The gills are oriented vertically and are V-shaped in cross-section. The basidia are held out from the gill surface and protrude into the air space between two gills.
The spores are ejected from the basidia with tremendous acceleration. They initially follow a straight-line path away from the basidia, then slow down and drift down between the gills under the influence of gravity. Once the spores clear the bottom of the cap, they are carried further by air currents.
To identify the type of mushroom, one method is to make a "spore print". This involves breaking off the cap and leaving it overnight (flat side down) on a piece of paper. These prints can be used for accurate identification, sometimes down to the species level.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms multiply through spores. The gills of a mushroom are the source of spores, which are dispersed from slits or tubes underneath the cap.
Spores are produced by specialized hyphae, which are elongated cells that act like roots for mushrooms. They anchor the spores in the ground and take in nutrients.
Most fungi use the wind to disperse their spores. However, some fungi use water droplets, streams, or animals to spread their spores.
To collect spores, cut the stem off a mushroom and place the cap on a sheet of paper. Cover the cap with a clean glass and leave it overnight. The next day, remove the glass and cap to reveal the spores that have fallen from the gills.
Research has shown that lightning-strength jolts of electricity can increase the yield of certain mushroom species. This is because mushrooms react to a sudden burst of energy by increasing the secretion of proteins and enzymes by their hyphae.
