CULTIVATIONTIPS ADVISIE Spay enough after the 1st flush By Jos Hilkens
AdVisie “de champignonteeltadviseurs”, Herkenbosch
hilkens@champignonadvies.nl
The 1st flush gives the highest yields - 15 to 20 kg/m2 when hand-picked for the fresh market and between 18 to 26 kg/m2 when harvested mechanically, depending on the quality and grade. A kilogramme of mushrooms consists on average of 94% water. As well as the mushroom’s own weight, it also releases the same amount of water in the form of evapora- tion for growth. Spawned compost of course already contains a high proportion of moisture, somewhere between 60 and 65%, but then a lot is needed! The compost is often clearly drier after the 1st flush, certainly when hand-picked in which case no water is generally sprayed onto the mushrooms. However, for a good quality 2nd flush it is important to ensure the casing is moist as well as the compost layer underneath. At the end of the 1st flush assess the moisture content of the compost from the top to the bottom layer, and the status of the casing soil. Take activity into account when calculating how much water you intend to spray. For example, at 21 degrees Celsius less water will be lost in the following stage than at a temperature of 28 degrees. Apply 6 to 18 l/m2 in a time window of around eight hours, in sessions of 1 l/m2, so the casing soil is well-hydrated. If the casing soil is too dry the 2nd flush will develop less spontaneously. If the compost is too dry the mushrooms will mature too fast. These tell-tale signs will be evident on the 3rd and 4th day of picking in the 2nd flush.
Too much can be detrimental Praktisch advies bij: By Con Hermans
AdVisie ‘de champignonteeltadviseurs’ Heythuysen
hermans@champignonadvies.nl Photos: AdVisie
Compostering van A tot Z
Resultaat verbete- ring per m2
One of the standard procedures on mushroom farms is disinfecting the casing soil with formalin to destroy any bubble spores. An effective measure, but one that requires correct and careful application. Formalin, or actually the active ingredient formaldehyde, is a non-selective substance that attacks the proteins in organisms and destroys almost all fungi (and their spores) and bacteria. However, even in very low concentrations it can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. People working with this substance should therefore wear protective clothing and a mask. A normal application is to spray a solution of 100 litres of water contain- ing 2 litres of formalin per 100 m2 of growing surface on a 5 cm layer of casing. As stated, formalin destroys practically everything, including mushroom mycelium. Do not use too much water otherwise it will seep through the casing soil and damage the upper layer of compost. The absorption time should not be too long either, ventilate the room after approx- imately eight hours. Be particularly alert in the winter period when as the casing soil is cold, the formalin will evaporate more slowly. It is better to use a lower concentration at this time. A disinfectant solution that is too strong will have various negative effects. Mycelium growth in the casing will be slower meaning that cool down will be delayed by up to two days. The growth of competitor moulds, such as trichoderma, will also be encouraged, as the casing soil and compost particles are made almost sterile leaving the way free for the least sensitive moulds (spores) to develop. The photo shows what happens. An effective method with fewer harmful effects is to just disinfect the very top layer of the casing soil, which is the only place where any bubble spores could cause an infection. Do this by spraying 1 litre of water per m2 onto the casing soil immediately after filling and then misting the growing room with 1 litre of formalin per 400m3 of room using a Low Volume Mist sprayer.
Jos Hilkens +31(0)653 31 6204
Pluk- en hygiëne in- structie voor personeel
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Con Hermans +31(0)653 29 9396
Consulting for:
Jos Hilkens +31(0)653 31 6204
Composting 6 MUSHROOM BUSINESS
Mushroom growing
Picking
Con Hermans +31(0)653 29 9396
www.champignonadvies.nl
www.mushroomconsulting.nl
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