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Feeding Growing Button Mushrooms: The Role of Substrate Mycelium to Feed the First Two Flushes

Summary

This research examines how button mushrooms use their growing medium (substrate) and how the fungal network feeds mushroom production. The study reveals that mushrooms use different layers of their substrate systematically over time and that there are limits to how far nutrients can travel through the fungal network. This knowledge is important for improving mushroom farming efficiency. Impacts on everyday life: – Helps mushroom farmers optimize their growing conditions for better yields – Could lead to more sustainable mushroom production methods – May result in more cost-effective mushroom cultivation – Could contribute to reducing waste in mushroom farming – May help develop more efficient growing systems for commercial mushroom production

Background

Button mushroom cultivation relies heavily on substrate (compost) as a key determinant of yield and quality. The current system uses horse/chicken manure, wheat straw and gypsum fermented indoors to create a selective medium for Agaricus bisporus growth. However, only about 16% of substrate dry matter is used in two flushes, representing 25% of production costs, making the system inefficient and unsustainable.

Objective

To better understand substrate utilization in button mushroom crops by analyzing substrate degradation patterns, examining the effects of varying substrate depths and availability, and studying the role of mycelial networks in nutrient transport during mushroom production.

Results

The upper third of substrate is used for pin formation, all layers contribute to flush one, and mainly the lower third feeds flush two. Reducing substrate depth decreased yield per m2 but increased yield per tonne of substrate. Daily interruptions of substrate-casing contact delayed first flush and shifted yield from flush one to two. Substrate extensions beyond 20-50cm from casing soil did not contribute to feeding mushrooms. Mycelial biomass increased from filling to pinning, showed steeper increase during flush one, then leveled off during flush two.

Conclusion

A fixed amount of nutrients is prepared/available to feed two flushes in quality mushroom production. Mycelial branching during venting and flush one development leads to increased hyphal tips that excrete enzymes for substrate degradation. The current substrate system has reached its limits with few opportunities for improvement. Research on alternative, more energy-dense substrates is needed to improve production efficiency.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270633
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