Six practical methods for cost-saving and efficiency-boosting in edible mushroom cultivation

​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 cool it down. During the early stage of mycelial growth, the relative air humidity should be kept below 70%, and in the later stage at 85%-90%. These measures are conducive to the formation of mushroom buds.

​2. Chemical stimulation method: When preparing the substrate, appropriately add phosphates (monopotassium phosphate, superphosphate), sulfates (magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate) and vitamin B1, etc., which have an obvious yield-increasing effect. In the late stage of mycelial growth, spray 0.1 mg/L-0.2 mg/L triacontanol onto the surface of the substrate, which can promote mycelial growth and mushroom formation, and can increase yield by 10%-15%.

​3. Scratching method: When the mycelium has covered the surface of the substrate, use a clean bamboo broom to gently sweep back and forth over the surface of the substrate to remove or break the excessive and old mycelium on the surface layer. After new mycelium is exposed, spray water, cover with film to keep warm and moist, and mushroom buds will appear in about 7 days. Generally, the yield can be increased by about 10%.

​4. Shock method: After the substrate is fully covered with mycelium, use highly elastic wooden slats to press, pat and vibrate the surface of the substrate. When operating, apply force evenly, do not leave deep marks, and do not damage the surface of the substrate. This can promote accelerated mycelial growth and rapid differentiation of fruiting bodies. This method is suitable for shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, phoenix mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms, etc., and can generally increase biological efficiency by about 15%.

​5. Contact method: Cover the surface of the substrate with old newspapers, burlap bags, fine soil, etc. Pressure stimulation can promote rapid mycelial growth. Or insert sterilized small wooden sticks (1 cm in diameter, 3 cm long) about 2 cm deep into the substrate, with a hole spacing of about 15 cm x 15 cm, so that when the mycelium grows and spreads it touches the small wooden sticks and wraps around them, forming a uniform and dense mycelial mass, developing into mushroom buds and fruiting bodies, generally increasing yield by about 20%.

​6. Hole-punching and sand-filling method: Punching holes and filling them with sand on the surface of the bed substrate can improve the air permeability of the mushroom bed and enhance the water retention performance of the substrate surface, so that mushrooms emerge evenly on the substrate surface, with large caps and thick flesh. The method is: when sowing, use a conical wooden stick 1.5 cm in diameter and 30 cm long, and according to a spacing of 30 cm between plants and rows, punch holes in a plum-blossom pattern, with the holes reaching the bottom of the substrate. Two days later, fill the holes with yellow sand (the sand should be soaked and disinfected with 1% potassium permanganate solution). The yellow sand should be 0.5 cm-1 cm higher than the substrate surface, and at the same time inject 0.3%-0.5% limewater into the holes. Using this method can advance mushroom emergence by 3-4 days, and the mushrooms are evenly distributed and plump. The biological efficiency of oyster mushrooms can be increased by 28%.