Three-Stage Management of Edible Mushrooms Cultivated in Summer and Points to Note When Introducing Strains

I. Spawn Production Stage. The temperature in the spawn culture room should be adjusted to around 25°C, so that the spawn is in a suitable environment for mycelial growth.

1. Spray medication once every 3-7 days in the culture room as a preventive measure against contamination by stray microorganisms, killing the stray microorganisms carried into the room by air movement and by people.

2. During continuous rainy seasons, quicklime should be placed in the culture room to lower air humidity.

II. Mycelial Colonization Stage. The main problems in the colonization stage manifest as slow colonization, weak mycelium, high contamination rate and delayed fruiting. Solutions:

1. Replace with virus-free spawn. Virus-free spawn ensures that it does not itself carry viruses or pathogens and effectively improves resistance; this is the foundation for ensuring high yields.

2. Scientifically formulate the substrate. The nutrients in the substrate are the main material basis for cultivating mushrooms, and their nutrient level and state essentially determine the outcome of cultivation. Practice has proved that most substrate formulas lack nutrient elements, especially medium and trace elements, which makes mycelial growth weak and resistance decline, and raises the contamination rate and disease incidence.

3. Strictly disinfect during culture. Thorough disinfection and sterilization of the culture room and shed is an effective preventive measure.

4. Maintain insulation and ventilation. Insulation is not only a measure for low-temperature seasons; it is equally needed in high-temperature seasons. Ventilation during the colonization period is very necessary in production, and corresponding measures should be taken according to local conditions, with careful management, to ensure the desired production results.

III. Fruiting Stage. During this stage the air must be kept fresh, but in continuous rainy weather, air mobility is poor and the humidity in the mushroom shed may even reach saturation, making the air in the shed foul and causing diseases to occur naturally or even spread. Solutions:

1. Sterilize and prevent disease. Prevent invasion by stray microorganisms and pathogenic bacteria.

2. Strengthen insulation management. Use ventilation equipment for air exchange, especially within the range up to about 40 cm above the shed floor and in the edge zones of the mushroom shed, which are areas where carbon dioxide accumulates; when exhausting air, the exhaust pipe should be brought into contact with the ground.

3. Treatment of delayed fruiting. For bags that have completed colonization but still do not fruit for a long time, they can be moved outside the shed, or the shed film and ventilation holes can be opened to lower the temperature, increasing the temperature-difference stimulus; after one week, they will fruit.