Michael Davis
Mushroom production, also known as fungiculture, is the process of cultivating fungi, such as mushrooms, for food, medicine, construction materials, and other products. It involves creating the right conditions for mushrooms to grow, including temperature, humidity, light, and growing medium. The growing medium, or substrate, is a key ingredient in mushroom production and typically consists of organic matter such as compost or logs. The process of mushroom production can be broken down into several stages, including strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. Mushroom production has become an economically important industry, with a global market of 63 billion US dollars in 2013 and increasing consumption per capita.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The cultivation of fungi such as mushrooms. |
| Types of Fungi | Edible, medicinal, construction materials, and other products. |
| Mushroom Farming Steps | 1. Phase I composting. 2. Phase II composting. 3. Spawning. 4. Casing. 5. Pinning. 6. Cropping. |
| Mushroom Compost | Wheat straw-bedded horse manure, synthetic compost (made from hay and wheat straw), nitrogen supplements, gypsum. |
| Mushroom Substrate | Logs, stumps, woodchips, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, grain hulls, and other carbon-rich materials. |
| Mushroom Temperature | 60°F is ideal. The highest quality mushrooms with good fruiting speed develop at temperatures in the low 60°F range. |
| Mushroom Yield | More than 10 million metric tons of edible and medicinal mushrooms were produced in 2004. |
| Mushroom Market | Valued at 63 billion US dollars in 2013. |
| Mushroom Consumption | Consumption has increased from 1 to 4.7 kg of cultivated edible mushrooms per capita between 1997 and 2013. |
| Mushroom Benefits | Can be used for food, medicine, construction, biofuel, and feed for animals. |
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What You'll Learn
- Mushroom farming steps: composting, fertilizing, spawning, casing, pinning, cropping
- Mushroom substrates: wheat straw, stumps, woodchips, coffee grounds, etc
- Mushroom species: shiitake, oyster, and button mushrooms
- Mushroom growing conditions: temperature, light, humidity, and contaminants
- Mushroom economic impact: a $63 billion market in 2013, with medicinal and edible uses
Mushroom farming steps: composting, fertilizing, spawning, casing, pinning, cropping
Mushroom production is the cultivation of fungi, specifically mushrooms, for food, medicine, construction materials, and other products. The process of mushroom farming consists of six sequential steps: Phase I composting, Phase II composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping.
Composting
The first step in mushroom farming is preparing the compost. Mushroom compost is usually made from wheat straw-bedded horse manure, although synthetic compost can also be made from hay and wheat straw. Nitrogen supplements and gypsum are added to the compost, which is then mixed and wetted. The compost is formed into a rectangular pile with tight sides and a loose centre. The pile is then aerated, and the compost undergoes aerobic fermentation, where the growth and reproduction of microorganisms break down the raw materials.
Spawning
The second step is spawning, where mushroom mycelium is introduced to the sterile compost. The mycelium grows in all directions from the spawn grain, and the spawn eventually fuses together, making the compost one biological entity. It is important to monitor the temperature during this step, as temperatures above 80-85°F can kill or damage the mycelium, while temperatures below 74°F slow spawn growth.
Casing
The third step is casing, where a moist soil mixture is added to the compost to initiate fruiting. The compost is then delivered to the grower, who must manage the temperature and humidity to encourage mushroom growth.
Pinning
The fourth step is pinning, where mushroom primordia develop. This is triggered by a combination of carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, light, and humidity. To induce pinning, the gas-resistant barrier sealing in the carbon dioxide produced by the growing mycelium is opened or ruptured, causing a decrease in carbon dioxide concentration.
Cropping
The final step is cropping, where the mushrooms are harvested over multiple flushes, typically over 30-40 days. It is important to maintain ideal temperature and humidity conditions during this step to ensure optimal mushroom growth.
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Mushroom substrates: wheat straw, stumps, woodchips, coffee grounds, etc
Mushroom substrates are the materials that provide mushrooms with the energy and nutrition they need to grow. Different types of mushrooms require different substrates. Some species are very particular about the type of substrate used, while others are flexible.
One of the most commonly used substrates is logs. Hardwoods such as oak, beech, and maple are great substrates for many types of mushrooms, especially when combined with a bran supplement. For example, shiitake mushrooms can be grown on oak, American beech, sugar maple, and hophornbeam logs. To inoculate the logs, holes are drilled into the wood, filled with cultured mycelium or inoculum, and then sealed with hot wax.
Another popular substrate is straw. Wheat straw is often used as a base for mushroom compost, which provides the nutrients needed for mushrooms to grow. Straw is also commonly used to grow oyster mushrooms. To boost yields, straw can be inoculated with large amounts of grain spawn. Straw is a good substrate for beginners as it does not require pasteurisation or sterilisation.
Sawdust is another commonly used substrate, especially for shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Sawdust is easily consumed by the mushroom mycelium due to its small particle size. Soybean hulls can be mixed with sawdust to produce high-yielding substrates.
Coffee grounds are also used as a substrate, often in combination with straw. Coffee grounds are easy to source for free from local coffee shops and they do not require pasteurisation or sterilisation if they are used quickly and handled with proper hygiene.
Other substrates include woodchips, grain hulls, and other carbon-rich materials.
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Mushroom species: shiitake, oyster, and button mushrooms
Mushroom production is a complex process that involves the cultivation and harvesting of mushrooms for food, medicine, and other purposes. It requires specific conditions, materials, and techniques to create an optimal environment for mushroom growth. Here is a detailed overview of three popular mushroom species and their production techniques: shiitake, oyster, and button mushrooms.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are native to East Asia and are widely cultivated for their culinary and medicinal properties. They are often grown on dead logs, wood pellets, or sawdust, with oak being their preferred substrate. Shiitake mushrooms can also be cultivated indoors using mushroom bags, jars, or other vessels. While they are harder to grow than oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms are valued for their distinct flavour and health benefits.
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) are the third-largest cultivated mushroom type globally. They are known for their versatility and can grow on various substrates, including straw, hemp stalks, and even organic waste like coffee grounds. Oyster mushrooms are particularly popular in China, which contributes about 85% of the world's total production. They are rich in Vitamin C, B complex, and mineral salts, making them a nutritious food source. Oyster mushrooms are also relatively easy and economical to cultivate, especially in rural areas with access to raw materials.
Button Mushrooms
Button mushrooms (Agaricus spp.), specifically the white button variety (Agaricus bisporus), are the most popular and widely consumed mushrooms globally. Large-scale production is centred in Western Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Button mushrooms have a high protein content and are used fresh, canned, or as an ingredient in soups, sauces, and other food products. They also possess medicinal properties, including a potential antagonistic effect on certain tumours. The cultivation of button mushrooms began in the 16th century, and commercial production started in Europe during the 17th century. Today, they dominate the world's mushroom production and consumption.
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Mushroom growing conditions: temperature, light, humidity, and contaminants
Mushrooms require different conditions than plants for optimal growth. Plants develop through photosynthesis, whereas mushrooms derive all their energy and growth materials from their growth medium, through biochemical decomposition processes. However, some fungi use light as a signal for fruiting, so it cannot be deemed irrelevant.
Temperature is a key factor in mushroom production. Most species of mushrooms thrive at temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit, with the ideal range being between 62 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, mushrooms exhibit good fruiting speed and high quality. As temperatures decrease, mushrooms fruit more slowly but have a meatier texture. When temperatures drop below 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit, productivity is significantly reduced. Conversely, as temperatures rise, mushrooms become thinner and mature past their prime more quickly. When temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit, many species' productivity decreases, and the quality of the mushroom is diminished.
Light is also a factor in mushroom growth, though it is less important than temperature and humidity. As previously mentioned, some fungi use light as a signal for fruiting. Therefore, light exposure should be considered when growing mushrooms, especially when attempting to trigger fruiting.
Humidity is another critical factor in mushroom production. Mushrooms require adequate moisture to grow, and humidity helps to regulate this. By controlling humidity, growers can ensure that mushrooms have the optimal amount of moisture to grow and develop properly.
Finally, the substrate, or growing medium, must be free of contaminants. This substrate is the food source for mushroom mycelium and can include logs, stumps, woodchips, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, grain hulls, and other carbon-rich materials. Some species are particular about the type of substrate used, so it is important to select a suitable substrate for the desired mushroom strain.
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Mushroom economic impact: a $63 billion market in 2013, with medicinal and edible uses
Mushroom production, or fungiculture, is the cultivation of fungi, most often for food but also for medicine, construction materials, and other products. The global mushroom market was valued at $56 billion in 2022, with a projected value of $65.83 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2024 to 2030. In 2024, the market size was valued at $66.51 billion, with an expected growth to nearly $138.48 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2025 to 2032.
Mushrooms are edible fungi that are often regarded as vegetables, though they are not strictly plants. They are high in riboflavin, potassium, vitamin D, selenium, and other nutrients beneficial to the human body. Mushrooms have been used medicinally for a long time, with practitioners of traditional and folk medicine praising them for their curative and purifying powers. Modern scientific research has demonstrated that mushrooms can aid in healthy immunity, weight control, and general health performance, as well as potentially reducing the risk of certain cancers. The growing awareness of these health benefits is expected to contribute to the market growth of mushrooms.
The Asia-Pacific region held the largest market share of 78% in 2024 and is expected to continue to dominate the market, with the largest share of 40% during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increasing spending on processed food in developing countries in the region, such as India and China, as well as the growing number of food hotels and restaurants. North America also holds a substantial share of the market, with the functional mushroom market in this region projected to grow at a CAGR of over 12% from 2024 to 2030.
Mushroom farming consists of several steps, including substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. The substrate, or food source for mushroom mycelium, can include logs, stumps, woodchips, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, grain hulls, and other carbon-rich materials. The most common commercial technique for mushroom cultivation is indoor tray growing, followed by containerized growing. The tray technique allows for scalability and easier harvesting. Oyster mushroom farming is rapidly expanding globally due to its higher per-unit production and profit compared to other crops, as well as its ability to be grown indoors in kits.
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