How are fermentation additives used when composting mushroom substrates?

The mushroom substrate is a very important part of what influences mushroom growth and development, so how can you make a really good substrate?

Material preparation: Prepare the mushroom substrate fermentation additive at 0.1% of the substrate weight (that is, one part per thousand; if reusing spent substrate, it can be added at 0.2%); pre-soak or pre-wet the crushed or cut main material by rinsing, adjust the moisture to 60-70%, and the pH to about 8.

Mixing: Use fresh rice bran (old rice bran has poorer nutrition and is unfavorable) to dilute the fermentation additive (add 5 kg of rice bran per 1 kg of fermentation additive), then mix the diluted fermentation additive evenly with the pre-wetted wheat bran, cake fertilizer, manure and other auxiliary materials, and then mix it evenly into the main material.

Pile building: Stir the substrate raw materials evenly, build the pile in the usual way, use a pointed rod about 10 cm in diameter to make uniform holes through the pile for aeration, and cover it with breathable coverings such as burlap sacks and straw curtains to keep it warm and moist.

Turning: When the material temperature rises to about 65°C, the first turning can be done, and turn it again after 3-4 days; for button mushroom substrate the interval between turnings is slightly longer.

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 be kept at a high temperature above 75°C for a long time, otherwise it will cause relatively large losses of nutrients in the substrate and affect yield. Later, according to the different temperature requirements of different mushroom species, take measures such as removing the coverings, increasing the density of aeration holes, adding water, lowering the pile height and turning the pile to keep the temperature within the appropriate range.

Moisture adjustment: Along with the sharp rise in pile temperature and the continuous accumulation of heat, a large amount of water in the material will evaporate and be lost, so while turning, water should also be added in good time according to the specific situation (adding 0.5% quicklime water is best); the last watering and the last turning should be completed at the same time, and when spawning, the addition of "raw water" should be avoided as much as possible, so as to prevent the spawn from "not feeding on the substrate" after spawning.

Completion: Substrates for mushrooms such as oyster mushroom and straw mushroom need about 5-6 days of fermentation; button mushroom needs about 10-15 days. A 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 but a fragrant aroma, is not sticky to the touch and is springy, and rice straw breaks with a light pull, indicating that fermentation is complete.