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CULTIVATION TIPS ADVISIE Maximising cold or warm CO2
By Jos Hilkens AdVisie ‘the mushroom growing consultants, Herkenbosch
hilkens@mushroomconsulting.nl
Photo’s: AdVisie
The decomposition process caused by mycelium growth in the compost produces CO2. This CO2 is usually not a problem while the mycelium is colonising the casing soil. It often has a positive effect as it benefits mycelium quality in the casing. However, at cool down, pinheading and during the flush, a lower CO2 content in the growing room is desirable. The cheapest way of lowering the CO2 content is by mixing the growing room air with outside air, which normally has a CO2 content of around 350 ppm. When the outside air is clearly colder and drier than the growing room air, the fresh air has to be heated and humidified. As long as there is a heating de- mand, this can be done using steam. If the outside air is extremely warm, it must be cooled, and if it is very humid some moisture should be extracted. In cases where the outside air is clearly unsuitable, we advise working with a higher CO2 content in the growing room air, so less fresh air needs to be introduced and fewer control measures are required. The maximum CO2 content is linked to the minimum O2 content and is not influenced by the air temperature, but rather by the moisture content of the air. If the moisture content of the air is low, the grower can allow the CO2 content to rise higher. For example: In winter, if a grower works with an air temperature during the flush of 16 degrees Celsius and a moisture content of 10.5 g/kg air (RH is then ± 92%),the CO2 content can rise to a maximum of approximately 2000 ppm. If the air is colder than 16 degrees with a moisture content of 9.5 g/kg (RH is ± 84%), the CO2 content can rise to 2300 ppm without causing any problems with the minimum amount of oxygen necessary. During cool down and when the pinheads are developing, this maximum CO2 value can be too high because the mycelium has more difficulty knitting together and pinheading is less spon- taneous. During the flush more control is often possible by compensating for this higher CO2 content (reaching maturity faster) by setting the fan to a slightly higher position. Even if you prefer not to work with these maximum values, the CO2 content can often be increased by 300 to 500 ppm , certainly when the nights are cold. In winter, a higher CO2 content will considerably reduce heating costs, and often humidifying, and gives more stable control.
Automatic pilot Much of the work on a tunnel plant is repetitive and performed almost unconsciously Praktisch advies bij: . This automa-
tism creates the risk of certain actions being overlooked with, depending on the circumstances, some consequences being more serious than others. One of these procedures is cleaning the drip tray that catches condensation after the tunnel has been filled. While the tunnel is being filled, particles of compost will always fall into the condensate drip tray
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By Con Hermans AdVisie “the mushroom growing consultants”, Heythuysen
hermans@mushroomconsulting.nl
Compostering van A tot Z
Ziekte analyse en oplossingen
s a good idea to make a checklist of all the procedures that have to be completed and checked by the people working in the tunnels before the tunnel door is closed. Y a grid over the drip tray to prevent compost particles collecting in the tray
Toekomststrategie en kostprijs
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If they are not removed they may block the drainage system and cause the drip tray to overflow leading to many litres of water accumulating in localised patches in the compost . If this happens during sweat-out, a patch of compost will be created that is impossible to rid of ammonia . Later on it will be very difficult for any mushroom mycelium to develop in this medium. If the drip tray over- flows during mycelium growth it often creates a patch of compost with excessively high tempera- tures which can later lead to mites and nematodes. Pseudomonas bacteria are also activated by this water and will start to grow internally in the mycelium. In the first flush this can result in large patches of mummy disease. So, always inspect the upper layer of compost in the tunnel before you start delivering, and if you discover any weak patches, remove them. To prevent ‘little’ matters such as cleaning the drip tray and rinsing the drainage pipes being forgotten, it’
Jos Hilkens +31(0)653 31 6204
Con Hermans +31(0)653 29 9396
ou can also place
Jos Hilkens +31(0)653 31 6204
Disease analyses and control
Composting
Mushroom growing
Con Hermans +31(0)653 29 9396
www.champignonadvies.nl
www.mushroomconsulting.nl
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