Key Management Techniques for Fast-Growing, High-Yield Shiitake Mushrooms
In fast-growing, high-yield shiitake mushroom production, the supporting management techniques are crucial and directly affect the yield and quality of the mushrooms.
1. Management during the spawn-running stage
Move the inoculated spawn bags to the culture room, control the room temperature at around 25°C, and keep the relative humidity below 75%. During the spawn-running period, the heat released by mycelial respiration makes the temperature inside the bags 2-4°C higher than outside. During this period, attention must be paid to preventing excessively high temperatures; especially in the middle and late stages, the room temperature should not exceed 25°C. After 15-20 days, when the mycelium grows to a colony circle diameter of 8-10 cm, the adhesive tape can be peeled back from the bottom upward at one corner, with the opening facing downward, to accelerate mycelial growth, while also turning the stacks and inspecting them. After 30-35 days from inoculation, carry out the second turning of the stacks. When the mycelium grows until the two inoculation points connect, remove the adhesive tape and dig out the spawn blocks.
2. Management during the period from bag removal to color change
1. Timely bag removal. If the bags are removed too early, the logs are not easily to change color; if removed too late, the mycelial coat becomes too thick, and both will affect mushroom fruiting. To remove bags at the right time, two points must be grasped: first, grasp the mycelial age of the shiitake; early-maturing varieties generally take 60-65 days, while mid-to-late-maturing varieties take 70-80 days; second, observe the nodular mycelium on the bag wall. When it occupies 1/2-2/3 or brown patches appear locally, this is the most suitable time for bag removal.
2. Promote normal color change. The speed of color change, the depth of color, and the thickness of the mycelial coat are closely related to the amount of fruiting and the quality. Normal color change appears brown, with a moderately thick mycelial coat, normal fruiting, round and well-formed mushrooms of medium size, good quality, and high yield. Place the removed bags, as logs, on the racks of the mushroom bed at a spacing of 10 cm and at a 70° incline, allowing the mycelium to recover growth. Control the mushroom bed temperature at 23-25°C and maintain the relative humidity at 85%. Under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, a layer of dense white fluffy mycelium will grow on the surface of the logs. At this time, uncover the film at both ends of the mushroom bed and ventilate once in the morning and once in the afternoon, 30 minutes each time.
3. Variable temperature forcing of primordia. 10-12 days after bag removal, the logs have basically all changed color. At this time, the day-night temperature difference should reach more than 10°C to facilitate the formation of fruiting body primordia. During the day, keep the film tightly covered and reduce ventilation to maintain moisture in the logs and raise the bed temperature, but the maximum must not exceed 25°C. At night, uncover the film to let a gentle breeze blow over them, causing the surface of the logs to dry and be stimulated by low temperature, while maintaining the relative air humidity at around 85%. After 3-4 consecutive days of variable temperature stimulation, the primordia develop into mushroom buds.
3. Management during the fruiting stage
When the caps of the mushroom buds grow to 2 cm, begin spraying water. If the temperature is above 20°C, spray once in the morning and once in the evening, while also paying attention to ventilation and air exchange to prevent deformed mushrooms. During the mushroom-growing stage, the logs should mainly be sprayed with water to preserve moisture in the early period, while in the later period, soaking and spraying should be combined. Shiitake mushrooms are aerobic organisms, so during the fruiting stage pay attention to ventilation and air exchange to keep the air fresh. For the mushroom yard, light conditions are best as "three sun and seven shade" in autumn, "five sun and five shade" in winter, "four sun and six shade" in spring, and "one sun and nine shade" in summer.
4. Pest and disease control
Pest and disease control is an extremely important part of fast-growing, high-yield shiitake mushroom technology. The principle of "prevention first, combining prevention and control" must be adhered to. Once fungal damage, insect damage, or disease is found, carefully analyze it, determine the cause, and promptly adopt comprehensive measures such as ecological control, biological control, and chemical control to thoroughly eliminate or suppress its spread.