What causes deformed shiitake mushrooms? Causes and latest control measures
Shiitake mushrooms often develop deformities during the fruiting stage and the fruiting body growth stage. These deformed mushrooms fetch lower prices on the market, affecting growers' income. So what causes deformed shiitake mushroom growth? And how should it be controlled? Let's take a look at the causes of and control methods for deformed shiitake mushroom growth on Qinnong Net.
Causes of deformed growth
1. Improper strain selection: Besides inferior strains or virus infection, improper strain selection when choosing strains can lead to deformed shiitake mushroom growth. For example, in areas with higher altitude and lower temperatures, choosing to cultivate high-temperature-type strains, the low temperature will cause the mushroom buds to shrivel, thus leading to deformities.
2. Improper development management: If the mushroom buds in the cultivation bags bud too early, the buds are squeezed by the bag wall and cannot stretch out, so deformities easily appear in the first flush of shiitake mushrooms.
3. Unsuitable soaking: After shiitake mushrooms fruit 2-3 times, the moisture in the fungus logs begins to decline, so soaking to replenish liquid is needed. However, this method is only suitable for early-maturing varieties; if it is carried out on late-maturing varieties, it will cause deformities.
4. Improper humidity control and insulation: In winter, temperatures are lower, so insulation measures must be taken well. If the fruiting stage is affected by cold wind and low temperature, the mushroom buds will shrivel and dry up and grow deformed. In addition, during the fruiting stage, when air humidity is below 70%, soft or hollow mushroom stems will also appear.
Control measures
1. Understand the strain's characteristics: Before planting and cultivation, understand the relevant cultivation knowledge, especially the characteristics of the strain. According to the local environment and climate, choose suitable varieties adapted to local conditions, then calculate the season and time well and inoculate reasonably.
2. Prevent blind bag removal: Strengthen management during the mushroom bud stage, especially when the mycelium has not reached physiological maturity, when mutant deformed mushrooms are very likely to appear. Master the mycelium's maturity time and remove the bags in time.
3. Soak in time and in proper amount: Likewise, understand whether the strain is an early-maturing or late-maturing variety, and soak in time and in proper amount to prevent the water from being too early or too low. When the water content of the fungus logs is below 40%, fruiting is difficult at this time, and there are many small mushrooms. Generally, soaking starts when the water content is 60-70%, and after soaking the water content should preferably reach 95%. If soaking is too long, causing too much water absorption, it is not easy for the mycelium to grow and breathe, affecting fruiting.
4. Do a good job of insulation and humidity control: In winter, strengthen insulation measures, keep the day-night temperature difference above 10 degrees, and also pay attention to air humidity, humidifying according to climate changes.
5. Harvest in good time: After shiitake mushrooms mature, they must be harvested in time. If not harvested in time, the shiitake mushrooms will become overripe, consuming a large amount of nutrients, which is unfavorable for the second flush.
The above are the causes of and control measures for deformed shiitake mushrooms brought by Qinnong Net. The content about deformed shiitake mushrooms is introduced here. To learn more related knowledge, please follow Qinnong Net.