For high yield and high efficiency in edible mushrooms, balanced nutrition is key

High yield and high efficiency in edible mushroom cultivation is the urgent wish of the broad community of mushroom growers, and also a research topic for edible mushroom scientists and technicians. However, since the 1990s, the cultivation yields of most mushroom growers have stagnated, resulting in little increase in production benefits. Taking the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) as an example, for many years it has still followed the production model of the 1990s or even the 1980s, with cultivation and management lasting 3 to 5 months, and the total biological efficiency remaining at around 100%, sometimes even below 80%. With such a long management period and such a low yield level, even calculated at inflation-adjusted variable prices, the benefits are very low, seriously affecting the smooth development of the edible mushroom industry.

Research by relevant experts has found that there are three main reasons for the low yields:

First, the nutritional composition of the raw materials is seriously unbalanced. Through years of research and investigation, we believe that insufficient nutrition or changes in the nutritional composition of cultivation raw materials is one of the main factors restricting edible mushroom yields.

Second, the mushroom spawn itself carries viruses and pathogenic bacteria, and the strain characteristics have degenerated.

Third, the cultivation environment is gradually deteriorating, and the pathogen load is high. In response to the above reasons, we have transplanted the "barrel theory" from nutrition science into edible mushroom cultivation, that is, the various nutritional components required are like the staves that make up a barrel, and they must be of equal height to achieve maximum water-holding capacity. Extensive pilot tests have proven that "Edible Mushroom Three-Dimensional Nutrient Concentrate" can solve the practical problems of low cultivation yield and poor quality. At present, it has been promoted to most areas of Shandong and to Hebei, Jiangsu, Henan, Anhui, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, Guizhou, and the Northeast region, generally increasing yields by more than 30%, and has been recognized and welcomed by the broad community of mushroom growers.

I. Mixing type: Based on the quantity and proportion of medium and trace elements in the nutrition required by edible mushrooms, it is developed with medium and trace elements as the main components and other elements as supplementary. Each bag can be mixed with 250 kg of cottonseed hull material. For raw material cultivation, simply dissolve it in water and mix it in evenly. For fermented material cultivation, first ferment the material, and after fermentation is complete, dissolve the Three-Dimensional Nutrient Concentrate in water and mix it in evenly. For sterilized material cultivation, after evenly mixing the material, it can be bagged, and sterilization and other operations can follow routine procedures. The basic formula is: cottonseed hulls 250 kg, superphosphate 5 kg, urea 0.75 kg, gypsum powder 3.75 kg, Edible Mushroom Three-Dimensional Nutrient Concentrate 1 bag. For summer sowing or if fermentation is needed, add 2.5 to 5 kg of lime powder. In actual production, appropriate adjustments can be made according to the specific conditions of the raw materials.

II. Spraying type: Each bag can be mixed with 15 kg of water (that is, one sprayer tank of water) and sprayed directly on the fruiting bodies. If calculated by the amount of raw material, it can be sprayed on approximately 1000 to 1500 kg of material. This is the dosage during the first flush when fruiting is concentrated. Some mushroom growers also spray during the second and third flushes, which should be flexibly controlled according to the number of fruiting bodies. Three points need to be emphasized: First, regarding water temperature, 25 to 32°C is suitable; in low-temperature seasons, 25°C is suitable, and in high-temperature seasons, it can be adjusted to 32°C. Second, the sprayer must be clean, especially do not use a sprayer that has been used for fungicides and not thoroughly cleaned. Third, spraying 3 times per flush can achieve the best results; there is no need to use more. The prepared solution should be used up and must not be left overnight before use.

III. Additional notes

1. Prevent strong alkalinity. When mixing materials, be careful not to add too much lime or other alkaline substances. If it must be added, first mix the lime evenly with the raw materials, and then add the Three-Dimensional Nutrient Concentrate last to avoid direct contact.

2. Pay attention to the bag temperature of the spawn bags. After adding the Three-Dimensional Nutrient Concentrate, the mycelium is thick and strong, the mycelial mass is large, and the spawn-running speed is fast, so a relatively high biological heat will inevitably be generated inside the bags. If managed conventionally, there will be a risk of "burning the spawn." Therefore, attention should be paid to cooling the spawn-running site, and frequent inspection and frequent bag turning are required. If spawn running occurs at temperatures above 15°C, in addition to effective shading and ventilation, the most direct method is to first irrigate the shed, and after the water infiltrates, move the spawn bags in for spawn-running management.

3. Strengthen post-maturation culture. Although the use of Three-Dimensional Nutrient Concentrate results in fast spawn running and a large mycelial mass, the surface of the spawn bag being covered with mycelium does not mean the mycelium has matured. Therefore, after spawn running is completed, favorable environmental conditions should be created to allow the spawn bags to continue post-maturation spawn running, so that the mycelium can decompose more nutrients from the substrate, develop a greater mycelial mass, and accumulate more biological energy. When primordia appear on most of the spawn bags, regulate conditions such as temperature, water, and air to bring them into the fruiting stage. Once fruiting begins, it can create a scene of "explosive fruiting." In the words of mushroom growers, it is "after fruiting begins, you cannot even insert a finger." Generally, the biological efficiency of the first flush can exceed 100%, and in some cases can exceed 160%.