Mushroom

• A fungal growth that typically

takes the form of a domed
cap on a stalk, with gills on
the underside of the cap.
• Mushrooms are fruiting
bodies that produce spores,
growing from the hyphae of
fungi concealed in soil or
wood.
Mushroom internal structure
Mushroom reproductive cycle
 MUSHROOM CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY

•  Mushroom cultivation is the process of producing 
food, medicine and other products by the 
cultivation of mushrooms and other fungi.

• Mushroom cultivation is both a science and an art. 
The science is developed through research; the art 
is perfected through curiosity and practical 
experience.

• Mushroom cultivation is not only a source for 
nutritious protein rich food , it can also contribute 
to the production of effective medicinal products.
Phases of mushroom technology
Selection of an acceptable mushroom 

The requirement for and selection of a fruiting culture

The development of spawn

The preparation of spawn

The preparation of compost

mycelial( (spawn) running

Mushroom development
Selection of a mushroom species
• Before any decision to cultivate a
particular mushroom is made, it is
important to determine if that species
possesses organoleptic qualities
acceptable to the indigenous
population, or to the international
market if the suitable substrates for
cultivation are plentiful, and if
environmental requirements for
growth and fruiting can be met,
without excessively costly systems of
mechanical control.
Selection of fruiting culture
• A fruiting culture is one that can be used without further 
mating to make the spawn for mushroom production.
• The term fruiting culture is defined as a culture has the 
genetic capacity to form fruiting bodies under suitable 
growing conditions.
• In case of heterothallic species, the fruiting culture is a 
dikaryotic mycelium, which was formed by a mating 
between two compatible single spore, monokaryotic 
isolates.
• In the case of homothallic species, a single spore isolate 
is capable of forming fruit bodies and thus does not need 
to be mated with other isolates.
• The tissue cultures derived from the stipe or pileus of the mushroom
of either homothallic or heterothallic species can be used to establish
fruiting cultures.
Development of mushroom spawn
• A medium through which the mycelium of a
fruiting culture has grown and which serves as
the inoculum of “seed” for the substrate in
mushroom cultivation, is called the “mushroom
spawn.”
• Failure to achieve a satisfactory harvest may
often be traced to unsatisfactory spawn used.
• Consideration must also be given to the nature
of the spawn substrate, since this influences
rapidity of growth in the spawn medium, as
well as the rate of mycelial growth and the
filling of the beds following inoculation.
Preparation of selective
substrate/compost
• While a sterile substrate free from all competitive
micro-organisms is the ideal medium for cultivating
edible mushrooms, systems involving such strict
hygiene are generally too costly and impractical to
operate on a large scale.
• Substrates for cultivating edible mushrooms normally
require varying degrees of pre-treatment to promote
growth of the mushroom mycelia to the practical
exclusion of other micro-organisms.
• The substrate must be rich in essential nutrients, in
forms that are readily available to the mushroom, and
also free of toxic substances that inhibit the growth of
the spawn.
• Moisture content, pH, and good gas exchange between
the substrate and the surrounding environment are
important physical factors to consider.
Care of mycelial (spawn) running
• Following composting, the substrate is placed in
beds, where it is generally pasteurized by steam
to kill off potential competitive microorganisms.
• After the compost has cooled, the spawn can
either be sown over the bed surface, then
pressed down firmly against the substrate to
ensure good contact, or they can be inserted 2
to 2.5 cm deep into the substrate. “Spawn
running” is the phase during which mycelia
grow from the spawn and permeate into the
substrate. Good mycelial growth is essential for
mushroom production.
Fruiting/mushroom development
• Under suitable environmental
conditions, which may differ from
those adopted for spawn running,
natural germination occurs and is
then followed by the production of
fruiting bodies.
• The appearance of mushrooms
normally occurs in rhythmic cycles
called “flushes.”
Harvesting mushrooms carefully
• Harvesting is carried out at different
maturation stages, depending upon the
species, and upon consumer preferences
and market value.
• If you ignore one critical step/segment,
you are inviting trouble, which could lead
to a substantially reduced mushroom
crop yield and mushroom marketing
value.
Development of mushroom science
• It  should  be  noted  at  the  onset  that  mushroom  science,  by  which  we 
mean the study of the principles and practice of mushroom cultivation, 
is not an exact science. It is a life science, and as such is subject to the 
limitations  imposed  on  experimentation  which  living  organisms  may 
entail.
• In  the  early  stages  of  the  development  of  mushroom  science, 
observations  played  the  principal  role. These  observations  frequently 
suggested changes in cultivation methods, and those modifications of 
culturing procedures that proved to be of merit after experimentation 
became part of general practice.
• Quantitative measurement and objective evaluation are essential
aspects of such experimentation. In this way, as in the development of
any industry, there were gradual changes with time.
• Any applied science must have a firm foundation in information
involving basic sciences. The acquisition of fundamental information
and understanding of the causes of phenomena observed requires
that the practitioners of the applied science have a working
knowledge of chemistry physics and mathematics.
• Basic research has contributed significantly to the mushroom industry
and to mushroom science. For example, microbiological studies have
led to the establishment and preservation of pure culture and
development of spawn for the mushroom industry.
Mushroom biology

Mushroom biology consists of two main components

• Mushroom science
• mushroom biotechnology
Mushroom science

• It deals with the mushroom production and encompasses the

principles and techniques of compositing technology and
environmental engineering as well as microbiology.
• Mushroom science involve in marketing and management.
Mushroom biotechnology

• It is concerned with mushroom products and encompasses the

principles and practices of fermentation technology and processing
procedures, as well as microbiology.
• Marketing and management also involve in mushroom biotechnology.
These segments constitute the key factors in the commercial success
of mushroom based industry.
Useful aspects of mushroom
cultivation
Beneficial nutritional effects of
mushrooms
 Mushrooms have a low energy level, which is beneficial for weight reduction.
 Mushrooms have a not significant level of purine, which is beneficial for the diet of persons suffering
from metabolic diseases.
 Mushrooms have a low glucose level, and more mannitol, which is especially beneficial for diabetics.
 Mushrooms have a very low sodium concentration, which is beneficial for the diet of persons
suffering from high blood pressure.
 Mushrooms have a high content of several key vitamins, which is an important orthomolecular
aspect. This means that a significant part of the daily requirement of different essential vitamins can
be covered by consuming mushrooms.
 Mushrooms have a high content of potassium and phosphorus, which is an important
orthomolecular aspect as well.
 Finally, mushrooms have a high content of selenium, which is regarded as an excellent antioxidant.
Economic and social impacts of
mushroom cultivation
• Mushrooms can convert lignocellulosic waste materials into a wide
diversity of products (such as food, dietary supplements, herbal medicines
and cosmetics) that have multi-beneficial effects to human beings.
• Mushrooms are relatively fast-growing organisms.
• Mushroom cultivation can be labor intensive
• Mushrooms have been accepted as human food from time immemorial
and can immediately supply additional protein to human food.
• Edible mushrooms should be treated as healthy vegetables. After
improving the cultivation techniques, they should be cultivated as widely
and as cheaply as other common vegetables
Restoration of a Damaged
Environment by Mushroom
Mycelium
• One of the primary roles of mushrooms in the ecosystem is
decomposition, which is performed by the mycelium. Mushroom
mycelium can produce a group of complex extracellular enzymes,
which can degrade and utilize the lignocellulosic wastes to reduce
pollution. Mushroom mycelia can also play a significant role in the
restoration of damaged environments.