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CULTIVATION TIPS ADVISIE Fanning the flames
By Con Hermans AdVisie “the mushroom growing consultants”, Heythuysen
hermans@mushroomconsulting.nl
The ideal situation for a grower is compost with enough activity at the right time. Inactive compost often gives less spontaneous development of the pinheads, a delayed flush and lower quality mushrooms. The required degree of activity depends on the harvesting method. Farms that harvest mechanically want high activity while the flush is developing so that plenty of water can be sprayed on the mushrooms. On the other hand, manual harvesting farms prefer a calmer and more controlled degree of activity, otherwise the mushrooms grow too fast. This wish list makes it virtually impossible for composters to produce standard compost that performs optimally in both manual and mechanical set-ups. What is activity actually? Activity is the burning of organic matter in the compost, a process that produces heat and CO2. If the compost produces CO2, the growing room demands fresh air, evaporation takes place, the mushrooms grow and you can spray the bed. The cultivation process almost takes care of itself. A room with inactive compost demands a lot of effort from the grower to make amends, and the results are often disappointing. The foundation of activity is anchored in the compost quality. This is influenced by factors inclu- ding nitrogen content, degree of fermentation, moisture content, structure, number of days of mycelium growth and mycelium quality. Inactivity in compost should, to begin with, be solved at the composting plant, but growers can take measures to upgrade the activity. Fill more compost; add more supplements; fill the compost loosely; activate the compost after filling with the air tem- perature; circulate air gently; do not spray too much water too soon on the compost, ensure short mycelium growth time in the casing soil and cool down quickly. Compare activity to creating a roaring fire: the flames must catch first before you can fan them too enthusiastically. It will be almost impossible to douse the resulting blaze. However, if you fan too soon, you will just smother the flames.
Goodbye Dimilin, hello sciarids Praktisch advies bij:
By Jos Hilkens AdVisie ‘the mushroom growing consultants, Herkenbosch
hilkens@mushroomconsulting.nl
Photo’s: AdVisie
Compostering van A tot Z
Most growers are aware that 1 July 2014 is the last date on which liquid Dimilin containing the active substance diflubenzuron 48% can be sold. Use of this insecticide will be permitted for a further year until 1 July 2015. After this date, this insecticide will be unavailable for use in mushroom growing in the Netherlands. An end to its use in most other European countries is also imminent, but the precise dates vary per country. The departure of Dimilin from the mushroom growing sector is due to its reduced effectiveness and the high costs of extending its approval for sale and use. Until three years ago, its working was perfect and gave 100% results in nearly all cases in controlling mushroom sciarids if it was applied in one cropping cycle. However, that is now rarely the case, and its efficacy fluctuates between 50 and 100%. Its effectiveness is usually better if it is reused following a long period of interruption.
Ziekte analyse en oplossingen
The reduced effectiveness of Dimilin has prompted a sharp increase in the use of nematodes to control the larvae of mushroom sciarids. Unfortunately, the use of nematodes does not mean the end of sciarids in mushroom growing, but it does greatly reduce the population. The question is, how do sciarids arrive on the farm in the first place? This is a complicated matter. The transport and storage of raw materials, and the raw materials themselves, certainly play an important role and greater attention to these aspects is desirable. Once an infection has taken hold you often see prolonged problems caused by reinfection. The causes are clear and much literature has already been devoted to the subject, but in practice you still come across badly closing doors and filters, leaking ceilings and walls. Farms with a central corridor have to be even more alert, as a corridor is the ideal highway for sciarids to crawl from room to room. Sticky traps and adhesive sprays provide clear evidence!
Jos Hilkens +31(0)653 31 6204
Toekomststrategie en kostprijs
Con Hermans +31(0)653 29 9396
advertisement Consulting for:
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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