Key Technical Points for Field Cultivation of Shiitake Mushrooms on Substitute Substrates

With the advancement of science and technology and the development of the market economy, shiitake mushroom cultivation is also continuously improving and innovating. Not long ago, the editor received phone calls from farmers such as Li Xiliang of Baigenli Village, Kele Town, Nenjiang County, asking about the techniques for field cultivation of shiitake mushrooms. We have specially selected and compiled the manuscript "Cultivation Techniques for Field Cultivation of Shiitake Mushrooms on Substitute Substrates," hoping it will be of help to you.

1. Preparation of the cultivation substrate There are many formulas for the culture medium used in field cultivation of shiitake mushrooms on substitute substrates. Two are introduced here: one is 80% hardwood sawdust, 10% wheat bran, 7% rice chaff, 1% gypsum powder, 2% soybean cake powder, and 0.1-0.2% 50% wettable carbendazim powder; the other is 85% peanut shells, 10% wheat bran, 2% soybean cake powder, 1% gypsum powder, 2% cornmeal, and 0.1-0.2% wettable carbendazim powder. The pH value is acidic. After mixing the materials dry and evenly, bring the moisture content to 60-65%, then sterilize. Lay a rack and steaming cloth in the sterilization pot, then heat over high fire. After strong steam rises, place a 10 cm thick layer of the evenly mixed dry material on the steaming cloth, then continue sprinkling material whose moisture content is gradually increased from 45% to 55%. When the temperature reaches 98-100 degrees C, start timing, and keep a high fire burning rapidly for 1.5-2 hours.

2. Seasonal arrangement In the Northeast region, sowing is generally done between late March and late April, and it is best to finish sowing before Qingming Festival. It suffices to ensure that the air temperature at sowing is not lower than 5 degrees C and not higher than 15 degrees C.

3. Inoculation After disinfecting the mushroom bed, lay plastic film over the bed, leaving a 20 cm wide strip in the middle uncovered, then spread the material taken from the pot directly into the bed to a thickness of about 4-5 cm, and promptly cover with film. When the material temperature drops below 25 degrees C, inoculate. Uncover the film, sprinkle a layer of spawn, promptly cover with plastic sheeting, and then cover the plastic sheeting with 2-3 cm of soil.

4. Spawn running The main purpose of spawn running is to give the mushroom bed suitable temperature and humidity, with regular ventilation. As the air temperature rises, the plastic film should be removed in time. After the mycelium has penetrated the culture medium, remove the soil in time, open the plastic sheeting for ventilation, then cover it again, but do not cover with soil.

5. Color change and fruiting When the mycelium matures, it changes from white to brown. During this period, strengthen lighting and pay attention to ventilation. After color change, increase the temperature difference stimulation to promote primordium formation. When buds appear, increase the relative air humidity.

When the shiitake fruiting bodies grow to six or seven tenths ripe, with the edges still curling inward and the caps not yet fully expanded, they should be picked in time. When picking mushrooms, do not pull them out by the roots, so as to avoid pulling out clumps of mycelium. Harvested shiitake mushrooms should be dried or sun-dried the same day and must not be left overnight.

Field cultivation of shiitake mushrooms on substitute substrates has the characteristics of wide raw material sources and easy operation. Practice has proved that the benefits are remarkable.