ISMSNEWS Sharing information… A


s stated on its website, the objectives of ISMS are the dis- semination of information on new developments and the science of mushrooms, and to stimulate exchange of new ideas between growers and scientists around the world. The ISMS congress a few months ago, held in Amsterdam, is an instrument for such exchange. Next to this congress ISMS is also promoting exchange of ideas between scientists and between scientists and industry by its working groups. In the last two years, a Flammulina working group and a Post-harvest working group were born. In these working groups, scientists exchange data and ideas and try to build proper research communities.


In the Agaricus bisporus scientific community, the number of research groups that are dedicated to working on Agaricus bisporus is dimi- nishing and the remaining groups have less members. Perhaps also for the Agaricus bisporus research groups it is time to make an effort in joining forces. Big issues such as finding a substitute for peat in casing soils, or finding solutions for spent mushroom compost are a major challenge for the future. Much research is being done in diffe- rent European countries, but researchers often do not know about each other’s, often nationally funded, projects. This may (and pro- bably will) lead to duplication of research efforts, providing less results for each valuable Euro of research money. Combining results and thinking about the best way forward, may prove to be a much more efficient use of research money and bring benefits to the industry.


The European Union is facilitating this by its COST program. Within this program, researchers can apply for funding for travel and the organisation of meetings. At these meeting researchers and industry can compare each other’s research results, discuss ideas and develop joint research program’s. I think it will greatly benefit the industry if such an approach is taken.


With respect to crop protection a similar approach is used. Not long ago, a ‘Commodity Expert Group Mushrooms’ was started within the EUMUDA initiative. EUMUDA is compiling a database of crop protec- tion problems in small crops. With respect to crop protection, the mushroom industry is considered a small crop. Within this database the crop protection agents within the different member states of the EU are listed and compared. The database will be used to see if a cer- tain problem with respect to a crop protection issue is perhaps already solved in another EU country. If no one has a solution, initiatives can be started to solve a problem. The EU has started this initiative to prevent that member states are working towards solutions at a nati- onal level, without knowing from each other that they both have the same problem. It is all about trying to avoid duplication of research efforts.


By the way, check the ISMS website for the proceedings of the Amster- dam congress.


Johan Baars, WageningenUR, The Netherlands


CULTIVATION TIPS ADVISIE Check water distribution


By Jos Hilkens


AdVisie ‘the mushroom growing consultants’, Herkenbosch hilkens@mushroomconsulting.nl


Photo: AdVisie


Incorrect water distribution can cause things such as blocked casing soil pores, variations in how well the CAC material establishes and moisture content diff erences in compost on the same bed, or between beds. The fi rst problems will manifest with poorly incubated compost and compost with little activity. If the compost is extremely well incubated, the diff erences will not usually be very apparent, unless they are very extreme diff erences – which sometimes do occur in practice. Checking the water distribution on a bed, and between beds, should be a standard item on the six-monthly maintenance checklist. Check how good the spraying pattern is, using small beakers for example, on all the beds. Perform this check sooner if you suspect poor water distribution. We still often encounter big diff erences in the moisture balance caused by an uneven spraying pattern over the whole bed (see arrow in photo). In a number of cases the nozzles are incorrectly set, the spray unit is not straight, the water pressure fl uctuates, the spraying pressure swings from low to high etc. A system that uses automatic spray lorries must run smoothly and be fi tted with a continuous length of good hose. Systems that use pipes installed under the beds sometimes have missing nozzles, baldly aligned nozzles or worn or blocked nozzles. Sometimes these systems have been badly installed to start with. Checking the pipes is necessary each growing cycle, and if a grower wants to do this properly it takes more time than when a lorry system is used. If checking and cleaning the spray installation is not already on your to-do list, make a note right now! Every little helps towards optimal results!


MUSHROOM BUSINESS 19


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