GERMANY
Two-day HLP in Straelen, Germany
In line with established tradition, the German professional association Hessische Landesfachgruppe Pilzzucht (HLP) organised its AGM on the
first Tuesday of November, followed by a farm walk and a symposium. By Magda Verfaillie, Mycelia
T
he two-day HLP gets busier and more international every year. This is illustrative of the huge need for communication between growers and other players in the sector. Exchanging valuable information is vitally important. The HLP’s role in this respect should not be under- estimated: it is the sole platform for growers of lignicolous mushrooms in Europe, where fellow growers can meet to forge plans and solve problems. Its significance is reflected by the number of members: on Wednesday evening the counter clocked up 100.
Bio Mushroom GmbH, a farm growing organic oyster mushrooms close to the Dutch border, was the destination of the farm walk. To host the AGM and symposium, the inspiring force behind HLP Ulrich Groos, booked the comfortable Landhotel Straelener Hof. The annual general members meetings of the HLP are lively and enjoyable events, and the voting behaviour is often unanimous. Jürgen Kynast extended his term as chairman, and the responsibilities will continue to be distributed in the same way. South Poland was revealed as the destination of the annual HLP trip in 2016.
Beta glucans and bunkers Ulrich found a number of researchers willing to present their scientific work after the meeting. Prof. Reinhard Hambitzer represented the University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Niederrhein, where studies are on-going into the bio-active components in mushrooms, with an emphasis on beta glucans, polysaccharides that are known for their medicinal value. The research has established that the beta glucan content of Lentinula edodes depends on the stage of development of the mushroom, but that the concentration in picked fruit bodies falls after a few days of storage to 30%. However, the
10 MUSHROOM BUSINESS
fruit bodies are far richer in beta glucans than mycelium from liquid cultures.
Prof. Claudia Jonas of the University of Applied Sciences Ostwestfalen- Lippe presented the preliminary results of research into Pleurotus eryngii. On a grower’s request, the protein content of the mushroom tissue left behind after harvesting was determined. Using the right analysis methods low protein contents were systematically measured. The results still have to be consolidated, but nothing seems to indicate that mushrooms or their stumps can be used as a meat replacement, contrary to what literature on the subject often claims. Nathalia Rangno represented the Institute for Wood Technology Dresden. One of the paths being explored there is the development of alternative mushroom substrates using waste materials. She concluded her speech by quoting Stamets ‘mushrooms will help us save the world’. This, and other interesting visions on mushrooms were shared until the small hours. The next morning a convoy of cars wound its way through a maze of bunkers to visit Bio Mush- room in Kevelaer. This region is bursting with robust, defunct military bunkers, that are being regenerated as warehouses, growing units or even residential housing. Being well-insulated, they are supremely suitable for mushroom growing, providing there is a good climate installation. Annelen Janssen and her team welcomed the visitors to one of the 24 bunkers they use. The site produces some 280 tons of oyster mushrooms annually, grown exclusively on organically-certified substrate produced by Jan Koopmans (Substraatbedrijf Horst). After a visit to a few growing rooms, there was plenty of time for coffee and some networking.
Communication and hygiene After a filling German buffet, it was time for
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