What to Do About Deformed Oyster Mushrooms? A Detailed Guide to Symptom-Specific Prevention and Control

During oyster mushroom production, inadequate management measures and unsuitable environmental conditions often easily lead to the formation of deformed mushrooms. In production, the causes of deformed mushroom formation should be identified and effective prevention and control measures taken.

1. Spherical or flask-shaped: The stipe of the oyster mushroom is spherical or flask-shaped, the surface is uneven or twisted into a wave-like shape, and the cap cannot form, with only a very small point or obvious icicle-like stripes. This is caused by viral infection, and should be prevented and controlled by spraying or smearing with Virus K, Virus A, or Xiaojunling.

2. Cauliflower-shaped: The primordia of the fruiting bodies of the oyster mushroom continuously enlarge, and the small stipes branch strongly, forming a hemispherical shape like cauliflower. This is caused by an excessively high carbon dioxide concentration and air humidity close to saturation in the cultivation environment. Ventilation should be strengthened to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration and air humidity.

3. Coral-shaped: The stipe of the oyster mushroom does not thicken or does not form a cap, but continues to branch repeatedly, resulting in a coral-like shape with variegated white color. This is caused by an excessively high carbon dioxide concentration and excessively weak light, so ventilation should be strengthened and lighting conditions improved.

4. Bean sprout-shaped: The stipe of the oyster mushroom is slender, and the cap is extremely small or absent. This is caused by too low a temperature and too long a duration when the cap is forming. Therefore, during the cap formation stage, if a low temperature of around 0°C occurs, measures should be taken to increase temperature and keep warm.

5. Thick-stiped: The stipe of the oyster mushroom is thick and long, appearing edematous, and the cap is deformed, very small, or absent. This is caused by high temperature, relatively strong light, and excessively high carbon dioxide concentration during the differentiation stage of the oyster mushroom fruiting bodies, which interferes with material metabolism and causes excessive growth. Ventilation should be used to lower the temperature and improve lighting conditions.

6. Shriveled and dried mushroom bodies: The oyster mushroom grows weak and thin, the fruiting bodies are yellowish-white or pale yellowish-brown, and the mushroom bodies shrink and dry from the top downward. This is caused by a lack of water in the culture substrate or excessively low air humidity, and the culture substrate should be replenished with water in a timely manner.

7. Irregular shape: After the flat-cut primordia of the oyster mushroom form, they do not differentiate to form stipes and caps, but instead grow into irregular mushroom blocks, and later the caps twist, crack, and expose the mushroom flesh. This is caused by excessive use of pesticides such as dichlorvos and fenvalerate, so pesticides should be used sparingly or not at all.