Sarah Brown
The weight of a mushroom harvest is determined by the amount of fresh mushrooms produced in a given space, with the weight of the mushrooms being referred to as the yield. The yield is usually determined by weighing the total weight of fresh mushrooms from all flushes until the substrate block is completely spent. The weight of the mushrooms can vary depending on the species, with some mushrooms having higher water content and producing larger fresh yields. The weight of the harvest can also be calculated by taking into account the weight of the dry substrate and the biological efficiency of the mushroom strain and substrate combination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of mushroom yield | The amount of fresh mushrooms produced with given space, substrate, and other constraints |
| Mushroom yield calculation | Weight of harvest/weight of dry substrate x 100% |
| Mushroom weight variability | Depends on species and growing conditions; some mushrooms have higher water content and yield larger fresh harvests |
| Dry weight consistency | Dry weight yields are more consistent across species as water content varies less |
| Dry weight benefits | Correlates with nutrient content, providing better information about food value; useful for planning harvests and storage |
| Wet weight | More commonly used by growers as it's easier to track; for every 1g of dry mushrooms, expect about 7-10g of fresh mushrooms |
| Yield from grow bags | Typically, a 10kg grow bag yields 2.5kg of mushrooms after two flushes (25% yield); most of the harvest is from the first flush |
| Flush yield | First flush yields 60-75% of the total; second flush yields 30-40%; subsequent flushes have diminishing returns |
| Harvest timing | No right time; depends on market demands; generally, when fruiting bodies appear, they are ready for harvest |
| Harvest weight impact | For every 45.4kg of mushrooms harvested, 41kg of water is removed from the substrate |
| Yield dependence | Depends on cultivation size, species, substrate quality, spawn rate, and growing conditions |
| Yield per flush | Varies with species and growing conditions; for common Agaricus, average yield is 15-30g/㎡ or 10-14 kg per 100 kg compost |
| Yield per year | Varies with species and growing conditions; for Pleurotus mushrooms in vertical farming of 1.5-3 hectares, yield can be up to 500 tonnes per year |
| Post-harvest handling | Categorize by size, pack in breathable pulp trays, and ship soon after harvest; store in cool temperatures, covered containers to maintain quality |
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What You'll Learn
Yield and biological efficiency
Biological efficiency, or BE, is a measure developed by the button mushroom industry to grade mushroom strains and substrate combinations. It is calculated by dividing the weight of the harvest by the weight of the dry substrate and multiplying by 100%. As the calculation uses the weight of the dry substrate, it is possible to achieve a BE greater than 100%. For example, if 2 lbs of mushrooms are harvested from a supplemented sawdust fruiting block with a dry weight of 1.9 lbs, the BE would be 105%.
The weight of the harvest can vary depending on the species of mushroom, the quality of the substrate, spawn rate, and growing conditions. Oyster mushrooms, for instance, typically yield about 25% of the total weight of the grow bag, while common (Agaricus) mushrooms average 15-30g/㎡ or 10-14 kg per 100 kg compost.
To increase yield, growers can improve the nutritional value of the substrate mix by adding plant-based materials high in nitrogen, such as legume straw or cotton seed hull. Maintaining the right growing conditions is also crucial, as issues like drying out, oversaturation, or poor ventilation can lead to the death of young mushrooms and reduce total yield.
Understanding the expected dry weight of mushrooms is important for planning harvests and storage. Mushrooms lose about 90% of their weight during the drying process, and the dry weight yields tend to be more consistent across species. For every 1g of dry mushrooms, one can expect about 7-10g of fresh mushrooms.
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Dry weight vs wet weight
When it comes to weighing mushrooms, there are two main methods: dry weight and wet weight. Wet weight refers to the weight of freshly harvested mushrooms, which includes a significant amount of water weight. Dry weight, on the other hand, measures the weight of mushrooms after they have been dried, removing most of the water content.
Mushroom yield is typically calculated as the amount of fresh mushrooms produced from a given space or substrate. It can be determined by weighing the total weight of fresh mushrooms from all flushes until the substrate block is completely spent. The yield may vary between flushes, with the first flush usually yielding the most and subsequent flushes having diminishing returns.
The concept of biological efficiency (BE) is also important in mushroom growing. BE is calculated as (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%. While the calculation uses dry substrate weight, many growers find it easier to use the "wet weight" or total weight of the fruiting container, which includes the weight of the substrate and water. This "wet-weight efficiency" provides a useful measure for growers to evaluate their yields.
The main difference between dry weight and wet weight is the water content. Mushrooms are known to have high water content, ranging from 85% to 95%. On average, mushrooms lose about 90% of their weight during the drying process, resulting in a significant difference in weight between fresh and dried mushrooms. For example, 100 grams of fresh mushrooms may dry down to approximately 10 grams, depending on the species. This variability in water content makes it challenging for growers to compare yields between different species accurately.
Dry weight provides a more consistent and accurate comparison of the actual mushroom mass produced, regardless of water content. It is often preferred for consistency and allows growers to plan their harvests and storage needs, especially for long-term storage. Wet weight, on the other hand, gives an impression of the overall yield and is useful for understanding the total harvest.
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Harvesting and storage
The right time for mushroom harvesting depends on market demands. For example, common mushrooms (Agaricus) are harvested early when they are still small, white, and firm if there is high market demand for champignon mushrooms. Harvesting should be performed more frequently, even daily, in this case. Generally, the crop will reach completion after 8-10 flushes, with each flush yielding less than the previous one. It is important to closely monitor the growing conditions to ensure a good number of pin sets. While there is no right time for mushroom harvesting, the farmer should remember that 60-75% of the yield is usually harvested from the first two flushes.
Mushroom yield is the amount of fresh mushroom produced with your space, substrate, and other constraints. The yield should be determined using the total weight of fresh mushrooms from all flushes until the substrate block is completely spent. The yield for mushrooms can vary between flushes, with the first flush typically yielding 60-70% of the harvest and the second flush yielding 30-40%.
Harvested mushrooms are very sensitive products. They should be stored in cool temperatures (max 7 °C or 45 °F) in covered containers to protect them from flies, sunlight, and high temperatures. When stored in breathable packaging and refrigerated, they can be preserved for up to 7-10 days. If packed in special bags at the same temperature, they can last 3-4 days.
Many growers choose to dry their mushrooms for long-term storage. Mushrooms typically lose about 90% of their weight during the drying process, and the dried product weighs about 10% of the original fresh weight. For every 1 gram of dry mushrooms, you can expect about 7-10 grams of fresh mushrooms. This can vary slightly between species, but it provides a good general guideline.
It is crucial to continue watering during the harvesting period. For every 45.4 kg (100 lb) of mushrooms harvested, 41 kg (90 lb) of water is removed from the substrate. However, the relative humidity should not exceed the maximum recommended levels, as the mushroom caps may become clammy or sticky, reducing their shelf life and quality.
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Grow bag yield
The yield of a mushroom grow bag is the weight of mushrooms harvested from one bag, compared to the weight of the substrate inside the bag. This is usually measured in percentages, pounds, or kilograms. The yield can vary depending on the quality of the bag, the mushroom species, and the growing conditions.
For example, a standard 10 kg (22 lb) grow bag will yield around 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) of oyster mushrooms after two flushes. That's about 25% of the total weight, and most growers refer to this 25% figure when they talk about "yield". So, if your bag weighs 20 lbs, a harvest of 5 lbs of mushrooms is normal.
However, it's important to note that the yield can vary depending on several factors, including substrate quality, spawn rate, and grow room conditions. For instance, if the bags are placed in a damp basement with minimal ventilation and temperatures between 11°C (52°F) and 18°C (64°F), you can expect to harvest between 1.3 and 1.8 kg (2.9-4 lb) per bag.
Additionally, the type of substrate used can also impact the yield. For example, oyster mushrooms grown on cotton seed hull basal substrate generally yield more than those grown on rice straw or wheat straw basal substrate.
RyzaPods are an alternative to traditional grow bags and offer a dedicated humidity dome for the fruiting stage. Each RyzaPod is a self-contained ecosystem and can yield about 30 grams of dried mushrooms, outperforming traditional grow bags.
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Flushes and their impact
The yield of a mushroom harvest refers to the weight of fresh mushrooms produced in a given space, with a particular substrate, and under certain conditions. The yield is usually determined using the total weight of fresh mushrooms from all flushes until the substrate block is spent. However, it's important to note that yields can vary significantly between flushes, with the first flush typically yielding the most.
The number of flushes and their yields can vary depending on the species of mushroom and the growing conditions. For example, common Agaricus mushrooms typically have 7-10 flushes, with each flush producing a smaller yield than the previous one. The first two flushes of Agaricus mushrooms can contribute up to 60-75% of the total yield. On the other hand, many commercial farms opt to have only two flushes for oyster mushrooms, as the third flush often requires significant time, space, and microclimate control without yielding much in return.
The yield of a flush is influenced by various factors, including the quality of the substrate, spawn rate, growing conditions, and moisture levels. For instance, a standard 10 kg grow bag of oyster mushrooms can yield around 2.5 kg of mushrooms after two flushes, with about 60-70% of the harvest coming from the first flush. Additionally, the weight of the mushrooms at harvest differs from their dry weight, as mushrooms tend to lose about 90% of their weight during the drying process.
To optimize yields, growers should focus on maintaining ideal growing conditions, such as adequate moisture, airflow, and temperature. By preventing issues like drying out, oversaturation, or condensation, growers can reduce the risk of losing young mushrooms and primordia, which would otherwise decrease their total yield. Proper post-harvest handling is also crucial, as harvested mushrooms are sensitive and require immediate refrigeration and proper packaging to maintain their quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The weight of a mushroom harvest depends on the size of the cultivation, the mushroom species, the substrate quality, spawn rate, and grow room conditions.
BE is calculated by dividing the weight of the harvest by the weight of the dry substrate and multiplying by 100%.
The average yield for oyster mushrooms is 2.5kg (5.5lb) per 10kg (22lb) grow bag. For common (Agaricus) mushrooms, the average yield is 15-30g/㎡ or 10-14 kg of mushrooms per 100 kg compost.
The weight of a mushroom harvest decreases over time, with 60-75% of the yield generally harvested from the first two flushes. The second flush typically yields 30-40% of the total harvest, while subsequent flushes yield less.
