How to Grow Brown Mushrooms for High Yield? Key Cultivation Techniques Explained

1. Cultivation season. Based on the biological characteristics of brown mushrooms, which fruit at temperatures ranging from 16°C to 32°C and begin fruiting 40 to 45 days after spawning, spring cultivation generally involves spawning in March to April with fruiting from May to July; summer cultivation involves spawning in June to July with fruiting from August to October. Each region should select the optimal cultivation season based on local climatic conditions.

2. Cultivation site. For field bed cultivation of brown mushrooms, a light-blocking, rain-proof shade structure must be built. The shed height is 2 to 2.2 m, with grass curtains or shade nets covering the roof and surrounding sides. Inside the shed, the beds are shaped into a turtle-back form, with a designed bed width of 60 to 80 cm, bed height of 10 cm, and unlimited bed length. Drainage ditches should be dug outside the shed.

3. Raw material formulas. (1) Rice-wheat straw 80%, lime 4%, phosphate fertilizer 2.5%, gypsum 2%, compound fertilizer 1%, urea 0.5%. (2) Rice-wheat straw 60%, cow manure 30%, lime 4%, phosphate fertilizer 2.5%, gypsum 2%, compound fertilizer 1%, urea 0.5%. (3) Cottonseed hulls 45%, corn stalks 45%, lime 4%, phosphate fertilizer 2.5%, gypsum 2%, compound fertilizer 1%, urea 0.5%. Generally, about 1,500 kg of substrate is used per 100 sq m of cultivation area.

4. Pre-wetting and pile building. Select a suitable site for pile building. First, spread a layer of pre-wetted rice-wheat straw on the ground to a thickness of 30 to 40 cm. Sprinkle a layer of moisture-adjusted manure on the straw. Then add another layer of rice-wheat straw followed by another layer of manure, ensuring the straw and manure are mixed evenly in proportion. Repeat this layering until a pile is formed that is 1.5 m high, 1.5 to 2.0 m wide, with a turtle-back-shaped top and vertical, neat sides forming a rectangular block pile.

5. Turning and fermentation. The first turning takes place on the 7th day after pile building, that is, when the pile temperature reaches 65°C to 70°C and is maintained for 2 days, turning begins, with an appropriate amount of lime added. The second turning takes place on the 6th day after the first turning, that is, when the pile temperature continues to rise to 70°C to 75°C and is maintained for 2 to 3 days, turning begins, with auxiliary materials such as gypsum added at the same time. After that, the third and fourth turnings are carried out at intervals of 5 days and 4 days respectively. The total fermentation period is about 25 days. The standard for high-quality fermented substrate: the material is loose and elastic, brown in color, with a large amount of actinomycetes visible, no ammonia odor, moisture content of 60% to 65%, and pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

6. Spawning management. Evenly spread the fully fermented substrate onto the beds to a thickness of about 8 cm and press down lightly. Begin spawning when the substrate temperature drops below 35°C. Spawning is done by broadcast or hole method, with 100 to 150 bags of spawn used per 100 sq m. After inoculation is complete, insert bamboo strips in an arch shape on both sides of the bed, then cover with plastic film to retain heat and moisture.

7. Mycelium running and casing. Within 3 days of spawning, the plastic film should be kept tightly over the beds. After 3 days, begin uncovering the film for ventilation 1 to 2 times per day, for 20 to 30 minutes each time, while maintaining a bed temperature of 15°C to 34°C. If the substrate surface dries out, lightly spray with atomized water to maintain moisture. Generally, after 15 to 20 days of mycelium running, casing soil can be applied when the mycelium has spread through two-thirds of the substrate. Fertile paddy field soil or rice husk soil should be chosen for casing, with a casing layer thickness of 3.5 to 4 cm.

8. Inducing fruiting. After 10 to 15 days of casing, the mycelium becomes thicker and stronger, and a small amount climbs onto the soil layer to form rhizomorphs. At this point, spray water to stimulate pinhead formation, raising the bed space humidity to 90% to 95%. At the same time, uncover the film at both ends to increase ventilation, forcing the mycelium to lie down downward and accelerating the transition from the vegetative growth stage to the reproductive fruiting stage. After 5 to 7 days of induction and pinhead-stimulation management, when a large number of white granular primordia are observed in the soil layer, spray a heavy fruiting water once more. Keeping the soil layer moderately moist will result in abundant fruiting.

9. Harvesting and processing. Under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, it generally takes 5 to 7 days from pinhead formation to mature harvest. Harvest when the cap is hemispherical, the fruiting body is firm, and the partial veil has not yet expanded. The entire fruiting period produces 5 to 6 flushes, with a total biological efficiency of 50%. Currently, brown mushrooms are mainly exported as dehydrated dried products. Drying methods include dehydration machine drying, fire basket drying, and sun drying. Among these, products dried with a dehydration machine have a light golden-yellow color, attractive shape, and rich aroma, meeting export standard requirements.