Methods for Using Biological Fermentation Agents and Fertilization Techniques in Edible Mushroom Cultivation
Using fermentation aids to make edible mushroom growing substrate has the characteristics of fast fermentation, thorough fermentation, both high-temperature and low-temperature fermentation, greatly shortening the time required for conventional fermentation, reducing labor intensity, and lowering costs; it also has the characteristics of broad-spectrum fermentation (it can ferment almost all organic materials that need fermentation) and strong adaptability (it has relatively loose requirements for environmental conditions). Comparative trial demonstrations of the Jinbaobei edible mushroom substrate fermentation aid produced by Beijing Huaxia Kangyuan Technology Co., Ltd. show that this fermentation microbial agent has a better cost-performance ratio than similar products at home and abroad (such as Japan's EM, South Korea's Nongfulu, and Enzyme).
Instructions for use:
1. Material preparation: Prepare the Jinbaobei edible mushroom substrate fermentation aid at 0.1% of the weight of the substrate (that is, one-thousandth; if discarded material is reused, it can be added at 0.2%); pre-soak or rinse the crushed or cut main material in advance to pre-wet it, adjust the moisture to 60—70%, and the pH to about 8. If the moisture is too low, it is not conducive to the rapid reproduction of functional microorganisms, and fermentation will be slow; if the moisture is too high, not only will the temperature rise slowly, but poor ventilation may also cause a local anaerobic environment, allowing spoilage bacteria to reproduce and produce a foul odor. To judge whether the moisture is suitable: tightly squeeze a handful of material in your hand; if a water mark is visible but no water drips, it is suitable.
2. Mixing: Use fresh rice bran (note: rice bran is not ordinary bran; rice bran is good in both nutrition and air permeability, while stale rice bran or ordinary bran is poorer in nutrition and is not beneficial; if there is no rice bran, wheat bran or cornmeal can be used as a substitute) to dilute the fermentation aid (add 5 kg of rice bran per 1 kg of Jinbaobei fermentation aid), then mix the diluted Jinbaobei fermentation aid evenly with the pre-wetted bran, cake fertilizer, manure, and other auxiliary materials, and then evenly mix it into the main material.
3. Pile making: Stir the substrate raw materials evenly, pile them in the conventional way, use a pointed rod about 10 cm in diameter to evenly punch holes in the pile for ventilation, and cover with breathable coverings such as burlap sacks and straw curtains to preserve heat and moisture.
4. Turning: When the material temperature rises to about 65°C, carry out the first turning; turn it again after 3—4 days. For button mushroom compost piles, the turning interval is slightly longer.
5. Temperature control: In the early stage of fermentation, the temperature may rise rapidly above 70-75°C, which is normal, but it should be turned immediately; it must not remain above 75°C for a long time, otherwise it will cause relatively large losses of nutrients in the substrate and affect yield. In the later stage, according to the different temperature requirements of different edible mushroom species, measures such as removing the coverings, increasing hole density, adding water, reducing pile height, and turning are taken respectively to control the temperature within an appropriate range.
6. Moisture adjustment: As the pile temperature rises sharply and heat continues to accumulate, a large amount of water in the material will evaporate and be lost. Therefore, while turning, water should also be replenished in a timely manner according to the specific situation (replenishing with 0.5% quicklime water is better). The final water replenishment and pile turning should be completed at the same time. During spawning, the addition of raw water should be avoided as much as possible, so as to prevent the mushroom spawn from not feeding on the substrate after spawning.
7. Completion: Substrate for mushrooms such as oyster mushrooms and straw mushrooms needs about 5-6 days of fermentation; button mushrooms need about 10-15 days. Well-fermented and decomposed substrate has a moisture content of about 65%, is generally coffee-colored, is covered on the surface with white mycelium, has no ammonia smell and has a fragrant odor, is not sticky to the hand and is elastic, and rice straw and stalks break easily when pulled lightly, indicating that fermentation is complete.