CULTIVATIONTIPS ADVISIE Controlling compost temperature
A regularly seen problem on farms is properly control of the compost temperature. Sometimes, burnt patches are caused, or mushrooms fail to grow along the centre of the bed and the high compost temperature destroys the mycelium in the compost. The culprit is often an uneven filling weight or failure to properly mix supplement through the compost. It may be caused by human error, inattention or incorrect settings. Paying attention to details is crucial when dosing/mixing supplement, loading/unloading compost and during filling. With a too-high filling weight in places or localised patches of too much supplement not a lot can be done to remedy the situation. However, if the compost in its entirety is over-active, applying the right measures can limit or even prevent damage.
By Jos Hilkens
AdVisie ‘the mushroom growing consultants’, Herkenbosch
hilkens@mushroomconsulting.nl
For example, placing an extra mobile cooling unit or fan in the room and cooling with water by spraying an excessive amount on the first day. Water applied in volumes of 20 to 25 l/m2 on the first day are no exception and help to keep the compost temperature controllable. If growers face problems controlling the compost temperature, not just after filling but also during the first flush, they should consider a lower filling weight, less supplement, no plastic under the beds - or perforated instead of unperforated - greater compaction of the compost at filling etc. In some circumstances the cooling capacity is too limited, there is insufficient air circulation or the air flow over the beds is too low. These are all aspects that influence how well you can control the compost temperature.
Casing soil in good condition Praktisch advies bij: By Jos Hilkens
AdVisie ‘the mushroom growing consultants’, Herkenbosch
hilkens@mushroomconsulting.nl
Teeltoptimalisatie Photos: AdVisie
Compostering van A tot Z
If the casing soil dehydrates in the first flush of manual picking, you are more likely to see quality problems in the second flush. After the first flush, the casing soil has become over-compressed and resembles a hard, dry, badly cooked pizza base. The grower attempts to reintroduce moisture by spraying the casing soil in 12 to 16 watering sessions of 1 l/m2. In practice, rehydrating dried out casing soil to a reasonable level is no easy matter. The consequence is often poorer pinhead formation for the second flush. These mushrooms mature faster and the cycle will not yield optimal production and quality. You have to ensure that more moisture reaches the casing from the compost, that the casing has a maximum moisture level at the start of recovery growth and that the casing does not contain too much mycelium. The best situation is when the casing has enough coarseness and small lumps where no mycelium grows. These lumps act as a moisture buffer for the second flush. If, despite your best efforts, you fail to retain enough moisture in the casing, you can consider spraying 4 l water/m2 before the first flush, or on the last but one day of picking the first flush. This will really boost increasing the moisture content of the casing soil after the first flush. And combined with the right cultivation measures it even leads to improved quality in the first flush. A win-win situation!
de champignonteeltadviseurs
Jos Hilkens +31(0)653 31 6204
Schade analyse en -begroting
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Con Hermans +31(0)653 29 9396
Consulting for: the mushroom growing consultants
Jos Hilkens +31(0)653 31 6204
Mushroom growing Disease control 6 MUSHROOM BUSINESS
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