Correct Methods and Technical Measures for Topdressing Mushrooms
The mushroom (scientific name: Agaricus campestris) is composed of two parts, the mycelium and the fruiting body; the mycelium is the vegetative organ, and the fruiting body is the reproductive organ. Mushrooms have as many as 36,000 sexes, and mature spores germinate into hyphae. The hyphae are multicellular, have cross walls, elongate by apical growth, are white, slender, cottony, and gradually become filamentous. The hyphae interweave with one another to form a dense mass, called the mycelium. After the mycelium becomes saprophytic, the dark brown compost turns light brown.
Medicinal value of mushrooms
Pharmacological action 1: Antibacterial action
The culture liquid of the mushroom (cultured at 28-30°C for 22 days) can inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. This culture liquid is nontoxic to guinea pigs, and oral administration of 250 milliliters in humans also has no side effects. The pressed juice of the related plant Agaricus nebularis Batsch. can also inhibit Mycobacterium and tubercle bacilli.
Pharmacological action 2: Other actions
Its extract (extracted with ethanol for 24 hours, the filtrate mixed with acetone for precipitation, the supernatant then extracted with ethanol and vacuum-dried) has the effect of lowering blood sugar. A nonspecific plant hemagglutinin was once isolated from the mushroom.
Pharmacological actions of mushrooms
The plant lectin extracted from the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) has antitumor activity; when a 0.25 mg dose was administered to mice bearing sarcoma S180, the tumor inhibition rate after 3 weeks was 39%. The water extract of the mushroom can significantly increase the number of T cells, can serve as a T lymphocyte promoter, stimulates antibody formation, improves the body's immune function, and promotes nonspecific immunity. This extract contains 45% polysaccharides and 18% protein components. Another extract, A, has immune-enhancing activity, can cause mouse peritoneal macrophages to aggregate and enhance the plaque-forming cell response. It has also been reported that a polysaccharide extracted from the four-spored mushroom has relatively high anticomplement activity. The ethanol extract of the button mushroom can cause mutation in Salmonella typhimurium, especially with a significant effect on TA104. The Ames test shows that the mushroom amino acid contained in the button mushroom has mutagenic activity on TA1537 and TA97, and alkaline conditions can enhance its mutagenic activity.
Measures for how to topdress mushrooms
During the peak fruiting stage and late growth stage of mushrooms, if the nutrients in the compost are insufficient, deformed mushrooms are easily produced, seriously affecting yield and quality. Timely topdressing can help mushrooms achieve high quality and high yield. When topdressing, alternating organic fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers gives better results. However, frequent light applications are preferable; generally, 2-3 topdressings can be applied per batch of mushrooms, carried out together with watering, with 250-500 milliliters per square meter. After fertilizing, spray clean water once to wash off the fertilizer solution on the mushroom bodies, and only close the doors and windows after the water droplets on the mushroom caps have dried. This method can avoid the occurrence of yellow spots, mottled spots and cracked-cap mushrooms. The fertilizer solution should be used immediately after mixing, not left overnight, to prevent spoilage. Several formula concentrations and methods of use are introduced below: (1) Mushroom stem water: take 5 kilograms of fresh mushroom roots and wash them clean, add 15-20 kilograms of water, boil for 15 minutes, take the clarified liquid and add water to 40 kilograms, dilute evenly and spray. This can extend the peak fruiting period and make the fruiting bodies thick and plump. (2) Soy milk water: use 1 kilogram of soybeans free of mold and spoilage, soak them and grind them into soy milk, add water to 50 kilograms, filter out the residue and spray. It can thicken and whiten the surface skin of the mushroom caps, make the mushroom stems sturdy, and can increase yield by about 10%, but it must not be used when the temperature is high, to prevent infection by contaminating microorganisms. (3) Carrot juice: chop 5 kilograms of fresh carrots, add 10 kilograms of water, boil for 30 minutes, filter out the residue and take the juice, add water to 50 kilograms and spray. It can promote mushroom growth. (4) Compost leaching liquid: take 5 kilograms of dry compost, add 50 kilograms of boiling water, cover tightly and let it steep, and after cooling remove the residue and spray. This solution can extend the peak fruiting period and also make the fruiting bodies thick and plump. (5) Sugar solution: 1 kilogram of sucrose (0.5 kilograms of glucose powder), add water to 50 kilograms, dissolve and spray. Use with caution when the temperature is high to avoid infection by contaminating microorganisms, and pay attention to preventing ants after spraying. If 0.5 kilograms of calcium carbonate is added, the effect is even better. (6) Decomposed human excrement and urine (cattle and horse urine may also be used): boil human excrement and urine until no foam remains, then add water at 10-20 times the volume and spray; after spraying, spray once more with clean water. (7) Peptone and yeast powder liquid: 50 grams of peptone, 35 grams of yeast powder (100 grams of yeast extract), add water to 50 kilograms, stir evenly and spray. It has the effect of making the mushroom bodies thick and plump and promoting the transition to the next flush. It is best to use it at a room temperature of 14-16°C. (8) Plant growth nutrient water: dilute the plant growth nutrient "Jindu No. 1" powder 1000 times (2 grams per square meter dissolved in 1000 milliliters of water) and spray. Spray once after each fruiting. The mushrooms are plump and firm, and the freshness retention period and the number of harvests can be increased, generally increasing yield by 20%-30%. (9) Urea: use 150 grams of urea (250 milliliters of ammonia water), add water to 50 kilograms, dissolve and spray evenly. It can make the mushroom bodies thicker. (10) Disease-resistant nutrient agent: use a 1:1000 dilution of Lübokang, spray when the fruiting bodies develop to the size of soybeans, and then spray once every 5-7 days. It can not only avoid the occurrence of deformed mushrooms and other physiological diseases, but also increase yield by 20%-30%.