Shiitake pinheads push the bark upwards.


Ricardo from NR Nature is proud of his ‘Wood Shiitake’.


solution to the explosively rising demand for pulp. Ecologists have watched regrettably while this highly invasive Australian tree has slowly but surely overrun the native woodland species. But, there is hope that the rising tide may be halted, as trials have revealed that this eucalypt species is highly suitable for shiitake growing. However, the natural environment for shiitake is oak, and that clearly remains its favourite substrate. Oak is extremely hard and colonised slowly, but produces crops of good quality mushrooms for a long period of up to five years or more – some cases have even been noted of 12 years. Eucalyp- tus, on the other hand, is a soft wood and as such is quickly colonised by the shiitake mycelium, resulting in quick yields and equally rapid exhaustion of the substrate. The average cropping period in this case is three years. Ecologists are rightly concerned about the plight of the endemic oak should shiitake cultivation continue to grow at its present rate. Sustainably thinking growers have recently resolutely chosen the eucalyptus, which shows quick regrowth after harvest, while it takes many years before an oak tree will regrow after felling.


Inoculation methods


Logs are sometimes inoculated by growers at the farm, but more often this takes place at companies specialised in the process. Inoculum is injected into evenly-spaced holes in the logs, with a space of about 10 cm between the holes. Another method is to insert inoculated plugs into the logs, or stuff grain spawn into the holes using a special stick. The holes are then covered by a protective layer of wax or a polystyrene seal. Inoculating loose spawn is cheaper, and according to Carlos from NR Nature, more efficient. Using this type of inoculum, he can limit the incubation time to six months on oak and to three months on eucalyptus logs. Bio Invitro is less convinced and is currently running scientific studies to compare the various inoculation techniques. Spawn is mainly purchased from abroad, but is being produced to an increasing extent by local companies. Rui Coelho produces grain spawn, CDP and Bio Invitro produce spawn on wooden plugs.


Cultivation and players


The mushrooms are grown in darkened plastic sheds, with sidewalls that be partially opened. The most primitive version is made of transpar- ent plastic, sometimes with extra shade netting, but the majority are made of double-layer plastic sheeting that reflects sunlight. They have sprin- klers, but no further climate handling systems. For that reason, the greater part of growers are found in the north of Portugal, where the climatic conditions are more favourable. The logs are placed on a beaten-earth floor in long rows, or other arrangement, so the logs can be sprayed easily and the mushrooms can develop normally and are easy for the pickers to reach. Hardly any growers using the immersion method, as the higher yield is in no proportion to the extra work involved.


We gained a good impression of the status of shiitake growing in Portugal through visiting a number of important players in this emerging market. We looked behind the scenes at NR Nature, Bio Invitro and Floresta Viva, Rui Coelho and Cogumelos do Portugal. Each company has its own signature, but they all share a common conviction that the conditio sine qua non for future success is adequate training of growers and targeted marketing campaigns. Some sup- pliers of logs buy back the produced mushrooms, completing the circle.


Some shiitake experiences


Ricardo from NR Nature: “We inoculate logs with grain spawn, leave them to incubate under controlled conditions and then supply the growers with incubated logs, so they can devote all their attention to the fruiting process. We currently work with about ten growers, for whom we market 70% of their crop. Growers who follow our instructions correctly can pick mushrooms of exceptionally high quality. Portuguese shiitake are grown organically and not forced in any way. The result is firm and delicately perfumed flesh. If they are picked at the right moment – when the edge of the cap is starting to unfurl and the diameter is three to four centimetres, they can be stored for


Patricio Costa from Cogumelos Do Portugal makes spawn plugs.


Sustainably


thinking growers have recently


resolutely chosen the eucalyptus.


 MUSHROOM BUSINESS 15


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