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Color conversion of shiitake mushroom logs is crucial and growers must not neglect it

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When the shiitake mycelium has fully colonized the bag and reached a certain physiological maturity, the aeration, light, temperature and humidity of its growing environment are artificially regulated so that all the aerial mycelium on the surface of the substrate lies down and secretes pigments; the color of the substrate surface gradually changes from dense white and pale white to light brown and then to brown and dark brown, finally forming a brown fungal film that combines multiple functions such as insulation, moisture retention, light exclusion and resistance to contaminating microorganisms. This process is called color conversion. The depth of color and the thickness of the fungal film in shiitake log color conversion are closely related to the fruiting time, fruiting yield and mushroom quality. Under general conditions

When the shiitake mycelium has fully colonized the bag and reached a certain physiological maturity, the aeration, light, temperature and humidity of its growing environment are artificially regulated so that all the aerial mycelium on the surface of the substrate lies down and secretes pigments; the color of the substrate surface gradually changes from dense white and pale white to light brown and then to brown and dark brown, finally forming a brown fungal film that combines multiple functions such as insulation, moisture retention, light exclusion and resistance to contaminating microorganisms. This process is called color conversion. The depth of color and the thickness of the fungal film in shiitake log color conversion are closely related to the fruiting time, fruiting yield and mushroom quality. Under general conditions, there are three basic situations in the relationship between color conversion (quality) and fruiting (level):

The first is normal color conversion, which meets the requirements. It is manifested as a fungal film of moderate thickness, brown in color, with the log having a bark-like luster and being elastic; its fruiting is manifested as budding on time, uniform mushroom buds and distinct flushes; the fruiting bodies develop normally, with high yield and excellent quality.

The second is manifested as excessive color conversion. It is dark brown to black-brown, and the fungal film is rather thick and hard; the fruiting time is noticeably later than its biological characteristics would suggest, and its fruiting bodies are rather large with thick caps and top quality, but its yield is only 50% of that of normal color conversion, or even lower, and in severe cases fruiting may even be difficult.

The third is markedly immature color conversion. It is manifested as a thin fungal film, light brown or yellow-brown in color, or the formation of relatively large white "mottled patches"; in this case fruiting occurs early, with mushroom buds occurring in concentrated and dense fashion, the fruiting bodies are small and mostly deformed, and the total yield is equal to or even higher than normal, but the quality is poor, the caps tend to open and are pale in color, and the market value is very low; the log itself tends to age prematurely.

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