MUSHROOM PRODUCTION

Course code: NMSP311

Prepared by: Andrew Thadzi, LUANAR-Natural Resources College
2024
MUSHROOM
CULTIVATION
 Growth, Reproduction and Life
Cycle of Mushrooms
o Mushrooms reproduce by means of spores
o Spores:
▪ Produced and stored in gills under the cup
▪ Survive in the soils and germinate later in the
rainy period.
▪ Under proper conditions spores germinate into
hyphae referred to as collective mycelia.
▪ Mycelia are generally microscopic hence unseen
with unaided eyes.
 Growth, Reproduction and Life
Cycle of Mushrooms
o Germinated hyphae forms primary mycelia and then
secondary mycelia through a process called
Plasmogamy (fusion of cells or protoplast without
the actual fusion of nuclei)
o The follow up process is called Karyogamy in which
the nuclei of two fungi come in contact and fuse.
 Growth, Reproduction and Life
Cycle of Mushrooms
o Mycelia colonize substrates to get and maximize nutrient
absorption.
o When stimulated by favorable conditions (temperature,
humidity, light and oxygen concentration), the mycelial
colony undergoes a transition stage and forms pins
(pinning)
o The developed pins which are equivalent to plant buds
go through developmental stages and differentiate into a
cap and stem to form fruiting bodies which can be seen
by eyes and picked by hand.
 Growth, Reproduction and Life
Cycle of Mushrooms
o The life cycle of
mushrooms can
be divided into
two phases:
▪ Vegetative
phase
▪ Reproductive
phase.
 Mushroom cultivation
o Refers to the an art, science, process or practice of
obtaining fruiting bodies by artificially emulating
and repeating the two growing phases of
mushrooms
o It requires knowledge and understanding of the
biology of mushrooms to provide optimal growing
conditions at each of the two stages.
o It also requires understanding of the mushroom
species since individual mushrooms demand specific
growing environments
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Spawn
o Planting material used in mushroom just as the seed
is to the crop.
o Spawn is already at mycelial stage growing on its
own substrate such as sorghum and sawdust
o Artificially produced under sterile lab environment
o Quality of spawn is one of the important factors for
successful mushroom production
o Use qualified spawn from reliable sources
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Spawn
o Types of spawn
▪ Grain
▪ Sawdust
▪ Plug
▪ Liquid
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Substrate
o Most grown mushrooms are saprophytes
o They rely on organic matter synthesized by the green
plants for their survival, growth and metabolism
o They don’t have leaves which contain chlorophyll for
photosynthesis
o Mushrooms require C, N and other inorganic compounds
as their nutritional sources.
o The main nutrients are carbon sources such as cellulose,
hemicellulose and lignin
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Substrate
o Thus , most organic matter containing cellulose,
hemicellulose and lignin can be used as substrates.
o Example: maize stalks, wood, leaves, grass, waste
papers
o pH required is 6 to 8 depending on mushroom
species
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Environment
o Mushrooms are easily affected by growing conditions
o Success or failure of mushrooms depends on the control
of the growing conditions
o Therefore, provide appropriate environment for both
vegetative and reproductive growth.
o Environmental factors include: temperature, humidity,
light and ventilation
o Optimal levels of environmental conditions at vegetative
stage differs from those at reproductive stage.
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Environment
o In general, mushroom mycelia can survive at 5-40oC
depending on the species
o Optimal temp for most of the mushrooms is 20-
30oC.
o Temps for pinning are 10-15oC for most mushrooms
o Sharp drop in temperature triggers pinning
o Temp affects the colour of the cap (an important
parameter for quality)
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Environment
o Consider CO2 concentration
o High CO2: formation of fruit bodies with long stipes
and small fruit caps
o Low CO2 concentration: fruit bodies with short
stipes and broad caps formed
 Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
Environment
o RH of 80-95% at reproductive stage since mushroom
is over 80% water
o Mycelia growth does not require light but fruit body
formation demands light and O2
o Mushrooms are cultivated mushroom growing
house
Important factors in mushroom
cultivation
End of presentation