Practical Techniques for Supplementing Nutrition in Edible Fungi

In the cultivation of edible fungi, reasonably supplementing various nutrients is an effective measure for increasing the yield of edible fungi. However, improper supplementation can also be counterproductive. Therefore, when adding nutrients to edible fungi, the following techniques should be noted:

1. Pay attention to the supplementation method. The methods for supplementing nutrients to edible fungi include spraying, pouring, and soaking. The most commonly used method is to prepare a nutrient solution of a certain concentration and spray it on the mushroom bed or mushroom blocks while supplementing water. When spraying during the young bud stage, care should be taken to spray the nutrient solution on areas without mushrooms or near small mushroom buds, and after spraying, rinse the fruiting bodies with clean water. It is best to spray the nutrient solution when the flush is declining. For mushroom blocks and logs, the soaking method can also be used for supplementation, that is, allowing them to fully absorb the prepared nutrient solution and then taking them out, generally after each mushroom flush has finished being harvested. On the mushroom bed, the pouring method can also be used for supplementation, that is, scraping open the casing soil on the surface of the mushroom bed, inserting a funnel into the growing substrate, pouring in the nutrient solution, and then covering it again. Generally, the distance between liquid-pouring holes should be about 10 cm, and about 5 milliliters of liquid should be poured into each hole.

2. Different nutrient solutions should be supplemented alternately. For example, glucose solution is a carbon nutrient, urea is a nitrogen nutrient, potassium dihydrogen phosphate is a phosphorus and potassium nutrient, and there are also other trace elements and organic nutrients. If one of these nutrients is applied for a long time, it is difficult to achieve the expected effect. Therefore, various nutrient solutions must be supplemented alternately to meet the requirements of edible fungi for different nutrients. On mushroom beds, generally a nutrient solution that adds nutrients should be applied first, and then a high-efficiency nutrient agent should be applied, as this is beneficial to the growth of the fruiting bodies. If the hormone method is used to stimulate the growth of edible fungi, the hormone should be used after supplementing the nutrient agent.

3. The amount of nutrient solution used must be appropriate. If too much is supplemented at one time, the growing substrate will become too wet, which is instead extremely unfavorable to the growth of the mycelium. Therefore, when supplementing, it should be applied in an appropriate amount according to the moisture of the growing substrate. If the moisture of the medium is relatively high, the concentration of the nutrient solution should be appropriately increased and the amount of water added reduced. After application, ventilation should be increased to dissipate moisture.

4. Apply organic fertilizers correctly. The raw materials for making compost juice must not contain contaminating microorganisms or insect eggs. The compost and manure used must be fermented and decomposed or boiled and disinfected. Plant infusions such as soybean milk juice and potato should be prepared and used immediately, and must not be left standing for long, to prevent spoilage and deterioration.

5. Pay attention to the influence of the environment. Generally, when the temperature is above 20°C, it is difficult for mushroom mycelium to form fruiting bodies, so supplementation should be stopped. Glucose solution, soybean milk juice, human manure and urine, etc. are all unsuitable for application when the temperature is above 18°C. If the mushroom bed (block) has already been infected with contaminating microorganisms, supplementation can be carried out only after it has been treated.