Causes of Mushroom Mycelium Shrinkage and the Latest Control Methods

Edible mushroom cultivation techniques are not difficult nowadays, but every step must be strictly followed. Any oversight will lead to contaminating bacteria, diseases, and mycelium shrinkage, which are extremely fatal to edible mushroom cultivation and seriously affect growers' income. So what causes edible mushroom mycelium shrinkage? How should it be controlled? Follow along with the editor to learn more.

1. High temperature burning the mycelium

If the temperature is too high during edible mushroom cultivation and the substrate is relatively thick, and the substrate temperature has not yet stabilized and dropped after fermentation, then directly inoculating the mycelium at this time is very likely to cause mycelium shrinkage.

Control method: During the edible mushroom cultivation period, try to avoid the high-temperature period as much as possible, and ideally keep the substrate temperature below 25 degrees. Once mycelium shrinkage occurs due to high temperature, immediately turn the pile and ventilate, then readjust the moisture of the substrate and sow again to ensure smooth mycelial growth.

2. Excessive ammonia

When building the substrate pile, many people increase the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer, or add nitrogen fertilizer only at the later stage of fermentation. This will cause a large amount of ammonia to be present in the substrate, and after inoculation it will cause mycelium shrinkage.

Control method: During edible mushroom cultivation, add an appropriate amount of chemical fertilizers such as urea when building the pile, which can avoid the later appearance of ammonia. If ammonia has already been detected in the substrate, then the vents need to be opened in time, and formaldehyde should be used while turning the material. Wait until there is no ammonia left, then sow.

3. Substrate too dry or too wet

A substrate that is too dry can also cause mycelium shrinkage. In addition, when the climate is dry, the mycelium grows slowly through the substrate after germination, and over time it will shrink. Also, if the substrate has too much water and encounters high-temperature weather when casing soil is applied, it will also cause insufficient oxygen for the mycelium and lead to shrinkage.

Control method: When too dry, cover with a layer of relatively wet rice straw, generally soaked in lime water. If dry weather occurs after sowing, doors and windows can be closed after three days. When there is too much water, pay attention to controlling it, especially in the pile material; it should not be too high or too low. If excessive moisture content is found when turning the pile, spread it flat immediately to dry.

4. Poor-quality spawn

⟦NL>If the spawn has already heated up when purchased, its vigor will naturally decline. It is also possible that after purchasing the spawn it was not planted in time, causing the spawn to age, so natural growth is relatively slow. Therefore, the growth is relatively weak.

Control method: Selection of spawn is extremely important. Try to choose a suitable substrate for cultivating spawn, and preferably varieties with good germination ability and thick, strong mycelium. When purchasing spawn, try not to choose times when the temperature is relatively high, and do not use spawn that has already aged.

The above is an introduction to the causes of edible mushroom mycelium shrinkage and control methods. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.