Introduction
zCultivation of mushrooms as a research
Cultivated Mushrooms
Introduction
zConsumption of mushroom probably
occurred during prehistory, in hunting
and foraging period.
zUnlike plants could not be cultivated at
first and was be collected a long period
of time.
zEven today, relatively few species of
mushrooms can be cultivated.
History
zMushrooms thought to be special and
supernatural in origin.
„Chinese and Japanese have utilized
mushrooms for medicinal usage for
thousands of years.
„Romans thought mushrooms were the
food of the gods.
endeavor in U.S.A.
„Only Penn. State a degree program:
Mushroom Science
„Common in Asian countries, in
Horticulture departments.
zWill use term “mushroom” in a broad sense,
again.
History
zMushrooms thought to be special and
supernatural in origin.
„4600 years ago, Egyptians believed
mushrooms to be plants of
immortality.
Pharaohs decreed that only they
could eat mushrooms.
History
zMany people presently collect
mushrooms for the purpose of
consumption, but…
zMany myths and false concepts still
survive today concerning mushrooms.
zMany species have now been “cultivated”,
but……
zRelative to number of edible species, few
cultivated.
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 History Cultivated Species
zDifferent cultures cultivated different zWill cover some examples of cultivated
species. species in Eastern and Western Cultures.
zCultivation of mushrooms in Western
zWill also go over some new possibilities.
cultures first recorded in 1650.
„Agaricus bisporus was first species
zWill start off with Agaricus bisporus.
cultivated, on compost.
zIn Asia, specifically China and Japan, it is
not known when cultivation began.
„Several species of mushrooms
cultivated, on wood.

Agaricus bisporus Agaricus bisporus

zAlso referred to as the Button
Mushroom,
Mushroom most cultivated species.
zFirst species cultivated in Western
culture, in Paris, France, around 1650.
„First observed growing in melon crop
compost.
„For 160 years grown in open field.
„Then moved underground into caves,
excavated tunnels or quarries. Still
used in France
zFrom France, method of cultivation
learned by England.
zBy 1865, United States began mushroom
cultivation.
„Spawn (=mycelium of mushroom) was
initially imported from England.
„United States did not develop its own
spawn until 1903.
„Initially, mushroom growing was a
“backyard” endeavor.

Generating Spawn Generating Spawn

zA medium in which to zA source of mycelium.
grow mycelium.
„Spores.
z“Autoclave” to sterilize
medium.

Wipe injection
site with
Spores in syringe
Grain medium sterile swab

Pressure cooker http://www.spiritgarden.co.uk/spawnbag.php

2
 Generating Spawn
zA source of mycelium.
„Spores.
Inoculate spores
http://www.spiritgarden.co.uk/spawnbag.php
Generating Spawn
zA source of mycelium.
„Incubate
Initial growth Spawn grows
throughout medium
http://www.spiritgarden.co.uk/spawnbag.php
Cultivating Agaricus bisporus
zMethod for growing well known, but
poorly understood.
zSubstrate includes mostly horse
manure, wheat straw, corn cobs,
and several other waste plant
products and animal waste.
zMixed and allowed to sit and
compost. Breakdown of complex
compounds to simple compounds.
Generating Spawn
zA source of mycelium.
„Tissue culture.
Tear mushroom Aseptically
apart excise tissue
Agaricus bisporus
zBy 1865, United States began mushroom
cultivation (continued).
„By 1914, cultivation of button
mushroom was becoming industrialized.
„Southern Pennsylvania largest
mushroom growers in U.S., 85% of
mushrooms.
„In 1970s and 80s, Penn. State
improved yield of mushrooms,
keeping U.S. competitive with rest
of world.
Cultivating Agaricus bisporus
zWill become very hot due to biological
activities.
zWhen complete will have consistency
of thick oat meal, when cooled.
zAgaricus bisporus spawn can then
be inoculated into substrate and
grow through substrate rapidly if
maintained at 24 C.
3
Cultivating Agaricus bisporus Cultivating Agaricus bisporus
zCasing Layer is placed over substrate. zCompost pile:
Normally, clay soil. Critical phase!
zBacterial activity, soluble salts and
lowering temperature to 14-18 C,
critical
zMushroom “buttons” form just below
casing layer.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/mab568/AgaricusV2.htm

Cultivating Agaricus bisporus Cultivating Agaricus bisporus

zPasteurization: z“Spawning”:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/mab568/AgaricusV2.htm http://www.personal.psu.edu/mab568/AgaricusV2.htm

Cultivating Agaricus bisporus Cultivating Agaricus bisporus

zCasing: zHarvesting:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/mab568/AgaricusV2.htm http://www.personal.psu.edu/mab568/AgaricusV2.htm

4
 Agaricus bisporus Agaricus bisporus
zGenetic variants of A. bisporus. zGenetic variants of A. bisporus.
(continued).
„Portobello.
Portobello „Crimini.
Crimini

„Like white button mushroom, but „Like white button mushroom, but
expanded and brown. brown.

Pleurotus ostreatus Pleurotus ostreatus

zPrior to 1970s, Agaricus bisporus was zNow commonly in U.S. supermarkets.
only species cultivated in U.S.
„Cultivation first described at beginning
zIn early 1970s, some attempts to of 20th Century.
grow other species. „Innovation in cultivation of
„Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom growing on wood in late
(Oyster Mushroom). 1950s made cultivation of P.
ostreatus possible.
„Common on dead
„By late 1970s, became common in
wood, in Europe and
supermarkets.
North America.

Lentinus edodes Lentinus edodes

zMany other species, but were from zSince 1970s, has been cultivated in U.S.
already cultivated species of Asia. and now available, fresh, at
zActual beginning of mushroom supermarkets.
cultivation in Asia, unknown. zSpecies originally cultured, in China,
zProbably best about 800 years ago.
known species is zNow grown extensively in China and
Lentinus edodes Japan.
(=Shiitake) . zResearch in Japan also claims
mushroom has medicinal use, i.e., anti-
„Mostly sold
tumor activity, rich in D2.
dried in U.S.

5
 Lentinus edodes Lentinus edodes
zCultivation of Shiitake. zCultivation of Shitake (continued):
„Initially began by placing logs with „Logs kept moist
fruitbodies near logs cut for and in 6-9
cultivation. months
„Spores would eventually infect logs mushrooms will
nearby. begin to form.
„To ensure fungus would infect logs, „May continue to
holes drilled in logs and wooden form for as long
dowel with the mycelium placed in as several years.
hole and sealed.

Lentinus edodes Lentinus edodes

zCultivation of Shitake (continued): zCultivation of Shitake (continued):
„Difficulty in finding logs forced „Polypropylene bag method
innovation of better method: (continued).
placing sawdust and carbohydrate
in polypropylene bag, which is
sterilized.

Lentinus edodes Volvariella volvacea

zCultivation of Shitake (continued): zAlso known as the Paddy Straw
„Polypropylene bag method Mushroom.
(continued).

„Not available fresh in U.S., usually

canned.

6
 Volvariella volvacea
zAmericans have had it in Chinese
restaurants.
zOrigin of cultivation uncertain, but
believed to be as early as 1822.
zBecame more widely dispersed in
other areas where Chinese have
migrated.
zOrigin in Hawai‘i likely during 19th.
Century.
Volvariella volvacea
zCultivation of Paddy Straw Mushroom
(continued):
„Cotton waste made mass cultivation
of mushroom possible.
„Industrial production of
mushroom now in Hong Kong,
Thailand, Taiwan and Indonesia.
„Cotton waste with 4% rice or wheat
straw and 4-6% agricultural limestone
allowed to compost for 2-3 days.
Volvariella volvacea
zCultivation of Paddy Straw Mushroom
(continued):
„Turned at least once, pasteurized
with steam.
„Many countries still use lower
yielding water material method.
Volvariella volvacea
zCultivation of Paddy Straw Mushroom:
„Grown mostly on composted rice
paddy straw, but also on other
plant waste products.
„Other products included dried
banana leaves and oil palm waste.
„Until 1972, with introduction of
cotton waste, yield of mushrooms
was very low.
Volvariella volvacea
zCultivation of Paddy Straw Mushroom
(continued):
„Turned at least once, pasteurized
with steam.
„Many countries still use lower
yielding water material method.
Auricularia Spp.
z Several
species cultivated, but most
common are A. auricula and A. cornea
(=A. polytricha)
„ First
species, temperate and
other tropic to subtropic and
occurs commonly in Hawai‘i.
7
 Auricularia Spp. Auricularia Spp.
zAuricularia cornea was one of the edible z Cultivation
technique same as that of
fungi in ancient China Shiitake and Oyster Mushroom.
zFirst cultivation reliably reported in about
300-200 B.C.
zNow known to be cultivated in many South
Pacific countries.
zCommonly called “ear fungus” regardless
of where it is grown.
zWas commercially exported from Hawai‘i,
during 19th Century.

Tremella fuciformis Tremella fuciformis

zAlso known as the Silver Ear.
zLong used as a herb, in China, for
various ailments.
zSaid to extend life expectancy, cure
tuberculosis and good for treating high
blood pressure. Also, grown for food as
well.
zPrior to cultivation, only rich could
afford to have this mushroom.
zOnce believed to be a wood
decomposer, but now known to be a
mycoparasite.
zOccurs in Hawai‘i.

Flammulina velutipes Cultivation of New Species

zAlso known as the Enoki zTruffles
zSmall delicate mushroom. zSeveral species “cultivated”:

zCultivated on sawdust
medium in a large, urn-
shaped container.
zAvailable fresh in U.S., in supermarkets.
zOrigin of cultivation obscured, but has
been cultivated for several centuries. zTwo of most popular are Tuber
melanosporum and T. magnatum.

8
 Truffles Truffles
zHave been collected as far back as zBecause of inability to mass produce,
1600 B.C. one reason why price has been as high
zUnlike other “mushrooms”, truffles are as $800/lb.
subterranean and are Ascomycota. zUntil after World War II, the only
zCannot be “cultivated” in the usual means of obtaining truffles was
sense because they form mycorrhizae, collecting them in wild.
symbiotic relationship between roots zIn 1972, idea of “growing” truffles, in
of plant and fungus. an oak plantation. Requires up to 10
zOnce believed to be a product of oak years before first truffles are
trees, as recently as 1903. harvested.

Truffles Truffles
zHarvesting truffles. zTrees with truffle mycelium inoculated
can be purchased.
zSome areas, other than Europe
believed to have truffles, but never
found, i.e. California.
zNumerous efforts have been made to
grow oaks outside of native area have
mostly failed, until 1987, when New
http://www.plantin.com/truffles/hunting.html
Zealand attempted to grow truffles.
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461529942/Truffle_Hunting.html

Truffles Morels
zNew Zealand was successful and it only zNumerous species of morels occur and
took 5 years instead of 10. all are equally edible.
zWhy were they successful?.
Morchella esculenta
„It is believed that since oaks are
(Morel)
not native to New Zealand, no
competitive mycorrhizal fungi
replaces truffle mycelium on the
roots of trees.
zMorels are also members of Ascomycota
and have never been successfully
cultivated, commercially.

9
 Morels Morels
zVery much sought after, but not as zGary Mills of Neogene Corporation,
pricey as truffles. affiliated with Michigan State
collaborated with Ron and seemed to
zNumerous attempts have been made to
successfully produce a high yield
cultivate morels.
method, but only worked in Michigan.
zMycelium could be grown and initially
commercial interest attempted to sell zAttempts to use method elsewhere
mycelium. failed.
zIn 1980, Ron Ower grew the first morel,
Morchella esculenta, but yield was very
low.

Medicinal Mushroom
zMany mushrooms cultivated for
medicinal uses.

Lentinus edodes: In combination with

AIDs drugs to boost immune response,
chronic fatigue and induces antibody
formation to Hepatitis B

Cordyceps sinensis (Winter Worm): helps

Grifola frondosa (Maitake): Said to be a
increase stamina, energy levels, and
powerful antioxidant and can help to
endurance, aphrodisiac, stimulate immune
maintain a healthy immune system
system, and lowers “bad”- raises “good”
cholesterol.

10
Tremella fuciformis (Silver Ear): Anti-
aging, asthma, anti-tumor agent, and
women’s friend for skin, bone and weight
control

11