Sarah Brown
Mushroom cultivation, or fungiculture, is the process of growing mushrooms using plant, animal, and industrial waste. It is a technology that has gained importance worldwide due to its dietary fibres and protein value. Mushrooms are fungi that require different conditions than plants for optimal growth. They derive all their energy and growth materials from their growth medium through biochemical decomposition processes. The cultivation process involves preparing spawn, which is the mushroom seed, by growing fungal mycelium in grains under sterile conditions. The spawn is then sown on compost, which is covered with a thin layer of soil to support the growing mushroom, regulate temperature, and provide humidity. The mycelium then forms little buds, called pins, which develop into mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The cultivation of fungi such as mushrooms |
| Types of mushrooms | More than 3000 types, including button, oyster, paddy straw, shiitake, lion's mane, portobello, crimini, tree ear, blewits, enokitake, and shimeji |
| Growing medium | Compost, horse manure, soil, straw, wood, logs, animal manure, coffee grounds, carbonaceous matter (straw or newspaper), and more |
| Growing temperature | 15-23°C |
| Harvesting size | 3 cm in height (minimum) |
| Harvesting time | 3 weeks (minimum) |
| Annual production | Over 1 million tons |
| Per capita consumption | Increased in Spain (23%), Italy (18%), West Germany (15.2%), the Netherlands (13%), Canada (11%), Switzerland and Sweden (10%), the UK, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria (8%), and France (6%) |
| Benefits | Dietary fibres, proteins, vitamins, and minerals; medicinal properties; construction materials |
| Drawbacks | Discolouration, weight loss, and flavour loss |
| Contamination | Airborne spores, bacteria, Bacillus ("wet spot"), and Trichoderma mold |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are fungi that grow on dead organic material
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be cultivated for food, medicine, construction materials, and other products. They are heterotrophic, saprophytes, and grow on dead organic material. This dead organic material is known as the substrate, which can include waste products such as animal manure, coffee grounds, horse manure, chicken manure, pig manure, wheat straw, rice straw, corn cobs, wood bark, sawdust, and cottonseed hulls. Mushrooms derive all their energy and growth materials from this substrate through biochemical decomposition processes.
The first stage of mushroom cultivation is the vegetative stage, in which the young spawn is encouraged to feed and grow. The spawn is the mushroom seed and is prepared by growing fungal mycelium in grains under sterile conditions. The spawn is then sown on the substrate, which is covered with a thin layer of soil to provide support, humidity, and temperature regulation. The mycelium then colonizes the substrate by secreting digestive enzymes to break down the lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose of the substrate.
Once the substrate has been fully colonized, the mycelium produces 'pins', which are little white buds that will develop into mushrooms. These mushrooms grow about 3 cm in a week, which is the normal size for harvesting. In the third week, the first flush of mushrooms can be harvested. Mushrooms grow best in temperatures between 15°C and 23°C, and they can be cultivated indoors or outdoors.
There are three main types of mushrooms that can be cultivated: humus-inhabiting, wood-inhabiting, and mycorrhizal. Humus-inhabiting mushrooms can be grown in a mix of compost, horse manure, soil, and straw, and include varieties such as button mushrooms, blewits, and shaggy ink-caps. Wood-inhabiting mushrooms grow on logs, like shiitake, maitake, ear fungus, and monkey's head fungus. Mycorrhizal mushrooms are grown in association with tree roots, like truffles.
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Spawn is the mushroom seed
There are several types of spawn. Plug spawn, for example, is sold in little bags at garden centres, co-ops, and farmers' markets. To use it, you need access to freshly cut hardwood logs. Holes are drilled into the logs, and spawn plugs are hammered into the holes, which are then sealed with melted wax. Sawdust spawn is similar but requires an inoculation tool for injecting into logs. It is cheaper, more reliable, and colonizes faster, making it a popular choice for small farms and those inoculating multiple logs outdoors.
Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. It is made using millet and wheat berries and is USDA Certified Organic. Spawn can also be prepared using agar wedges, or liquid cultures. These cultures are liquids that contain mycelium and are used to reduce the chances of contamination while giving mushrooms a firm beginning.
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Mushrooms grow best in temperatures of 15°C - 23°C
Mushroom cultivation is the process of growing mushrooms using plant, animal, and industrial waste. It is a technology that has gained importance worldwide due to its dietary fibres and protein value. Mushrooms are a type of fungus that belongs to the Basidiomycetes group, and there are over 3000 types of mushrooms.
To successfully cultivate mushrooms, it is essential to understand the optimal conditions for their growth. One of the most critical factors is temperature control. Mushrooms grow best in temperatures ranging from 15°C to 23°C. Maintaining the right temperature is crucial to avoid stunted growth or contamination.
The growth of mushrooms begins with spores, similar to seeds in plants, which require a specific combination of temperature and humidity to germinate. As the spores develop, they form a web-like structure called mycelium, which serves as the foundation for the mushrooms. This stage is crucial as the mycelium establishes itself within the nutrient-rich substrate.
To ensure optimal temperature conditions, growers can utilise tools such as thermometers or temperature sensors, heating pads, cooling fans, or greenhouses. Regular monitoring and adjustments to temperature levels are necessary to promote healthy mushroom growth. Additionally, insulation can be used to increase the temperature by trapping heat inside the growing area.
By providing the ideal temperature, humidity, and ventilation, cultivators can create the perfect environment for mushroom growth, enhancing the potential for a bountiful harvest.
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Mushrooms are healthy and nutritious, with medicinal properties
Mushrooms are a nutritious food with several health benefits. They are low in calories and fat, yet contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some of the vitamins found in mushrooms include vitamin B2, B3, B6, and C, which are necessary for metabolism, skin health, forming red blood cells, and maintaining healthy blood pressure. Mushrooms are also a source of folic acid, which is essential for growth and blood production.
Mushrooms are also a good source of dietary fibre, which can help manage and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. They are naturally low in sodium, which can help keep blood pressure low. Research has also shown that mushrooms can help lower cholesterol levels, particularly shiitake mushrooms.
Mushrooms are also believed to have medicinal properties and have been used in traditional and folk medicine for thousands of years. They are a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. A review of 17 cancer studies found that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms per day may lower the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Additionally, some species of mushrooms, such as lion's mane and chaga, are believed to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, as well as potential benefits for brain health and cognitive function.
Mushrooms are also a source of prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. The polysaccharides found in mushrooms pass through the stomach unchanged and can encourage the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon.
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Mushrooms are grown using plant, animal and industrial waste
Mushroom cultivation is the process of growing mushrooms using compost, which can include plant, animal, and industrial waste. Mushrooms are a type of fungus called mycelium, which uses compost as a source of energy for growth. The compost provides the mushrooms with carbohydrates and other nutrients that they need to grow and develop.
The substrate in which mushrooms are grown typically includes hay, straw, and different types of manure, such as poultry or horse manure. This substrate is composted at high temperatures (around 160-180°F) for about 30 days to kill any weeds, pests, or disease pathogens. It is then steam-pasteurized at 140°F to ensure that any harmful organisms are eliminated. The medium is then inoculated with mushroom spawn or mycelium and covered with a layer of sphagnum moss and ground limestone, which provide additional support for mushroom growth.
After the mushrooms have been harvested, the substrate can still be valuable. It is often sold as spent mushroom compost (SMC) or spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and used in gardening. However, it may also be mixed with post-mushroom substrate and left to decompose slowly on land or in landfills.
The use of mushroom farms for waste disposal and recycling is an important aspect of the mushroom industry. Mushroom farms can help dispose of waste products, such as poultry manure, which can be challenging for the poultry industry to manage due to the nuisance odours and pests it attracts. Additionally, mushroom farms can use second-grade hay, providing additional income for farmers.
While the mushroom industry has been working to reduce its environmental impact, there are still concerns about pest control practices, pesticide residues, and worker protection. Regulations and improved pesticide safety practices are being implemented to address these issues and protect both workers and the environment. Overall, the mushroom industry plays a role in waste management and recycling, and further research is focused on enhancing these capabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom cultivation is a technology that uses plant, animal, and industrial waste to grow mushrooms. Mushrooms are fungi that belong to the Basidiomycetes group and are rich in proteins, fibres, vitamins, and minerals.
The process of mushroom cultivation involves preparing spawn, which is the mushroom seed, by growing fungal mycelium in grains under sterile conditions. The spawn is then sown on compost, which provides support, humidity, and temperature regulation for the growing mushroom. The mycelium forms little buds called pins, which develop into mushrooms. Mushrooms grow approximately 3 cm in a week, which is the ideal size for harvesting.
Mushroom cultivation has gained importance worldwide due to its dietary fibres and protein value. Mushrooms are also a healthy and nutritious food with medicinal properties. Additionally, the production costs of mushroom cultivation are low, as they can be grown on waste products such as animal manure or coffee grounds.
