Six practical methods for increasing edible mushroom yields
1. Temperature difference stimulation method: Cover the mushroom bed with film during the day to raise the temperature, and uncover the film in the evening or morning to lower the temperature. During the early stage of mycelial growth, keep the relative humidity below 70%, and during the later stage keep it at 85%-90%, which can help the formation of fruiting bodies.
2. Chemical stimulation method: When preparing the growing medium, appropriately add phosphates (monopotassium phosphate, superphosphate), sulfates (magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate), vitamin B, etc., which have an obvious yield-increasing effect. In the later stage of mycelial growth, spray triacontanol on the surface of the growing medium, which can promote mycelial growth. Generally, the yield can be increased by 10%-15%.
3. Scratching method: When the mycelium has covered the surface of the growing medium, gently sweep a clean bamboo broom back and forth over the surface of the medium to remove or break the excessively elongated mycelium and old mycelium on the surface layer, exposing new mycelium, then spray water and cover with film to preserve moisture and heat. After sweeping, primordia will appear and mushrooms will emerge in 7 days. Generally, the yield can be increased by about 10%.
4. Startling method: After the surface of the growing medium is fully covered with mycelium, press and pat the surface of the medium with highly elastic wooden slats. When doing this, use even force, do not leave deep marks, and do not damage the surface of the medium. This can promote mycelial growth and rapid differentiation of fruiting bodies. This method is suitable for shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, Phoenix mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and others, and generally can increase growth efficiency by about 15%.
5. Contact method: Cover the surface of the growing medium with old newspapers, gunny sacks, fine soil, etc. Pressure stimulation can promote rapid mycelial growth. You can also insert sterilized small wooden sticks (1 cm in diameter, 3 cm long) about 2 cm deep into the medium, with a stick spacing of 15 cm x 15 cm, so that when the mycelium grows and spreads it touches the small wooden sticks and wraps around them, forming an even and dense mycelial mass. Generally, the yield can be increased by about 20%.
6. Hole-punching and sand-filling method: Punching holes in the surface of the growing medium and filling them with sand can improve the air permeability of the mushroom bed, enhance the water retention performance of the medium surface, and make mushroom emergence uniform with large caps and thick flesh. Method: When sowing, use a conical wooden stick 1.5 cm in diameter and 30 cm long to punch holes in a plum-blossom pattern at a spacing of 30 cm between plants and rows, with the holes reaching the bottom of the medium. After two days, fill the holes with yellow sand (soaked and disinfected with 1% potassium permanganate solution), filling to 1 cm above the surface of the medium; at the same time, inject 0.3%-0.5% lime water into the holes. Using this method can advance mushroom emergence by 3-4 days, and the mushrooms emerge uniformly and are plump.