Abstract Detail

Mycological Section

Kaszynski, kyle [1], Volk, Thomas [2].

So you want to grow some mushrooms?

This is an informational and educational poster outlining various methods of mushroom cultivation. Mushrooms have been cultivated for both edible and medicinal purposes for more than 1000 years. The cultivation of mushrooms has provided significant economical and ecological roles in the past as well as influencing cultural diets. Rich in nutrients and various medicinal compounds, mushrooms offer a delicious, nutritious and healthy food source. Although mushrooms come in many different shapes and forms, not all of them are edible. Of the ~14,000 described species of mushrooms, about 2,000 are good edibles, yet only around 35 species are cultivated commercially for human consumption. Many species of edible mushrooms cannot be cultivated indoors because the fungus relies on specific interactions (typically mycorrhizal) with other organisms in nature to produce fruiting bodies. These specific interactions are often difficult to reproduce in a controlled environment. The fungi that are cultivated, most of which are saprophytes, can be further divided into groups by the type of material that the fungus can degrade. Examples include primary decomposers, secondary decomposers, wood rot fungi, and coprophilic fungi. Different methods and substrates are utilized to produce fruiting bodies depending on the type of decomposition the fungus does in nature. These methods vary from species to species based on the environmental conditions produce that the various mushrooms in the wild. Techniques discussed on this poster will include growing on logs outdoors, using compost as a substrate, growing on artificial logs indoors, and also growing on wood chip beds outdoors. Recreating the particular environmental conditions is key to success in the mushroom growing business. The United States alone produces over 800 millions pounds of edible mushrooms per year. The mushroom cultivation business has been expanding greatly in recent years, creating new jobs and a new market of a food crop. This poster will benefit classrooms by providing insight into the vastly growing field of mushroom cultivation.

1 - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Biology, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI, 54601, USA
2 - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Keywords:
mushroom
cultivation
Agaricus bisporus
mycology.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PMY049
Abstract ID:1132
Candidate for Awards:MSA Best Poster Presentation Award by a Graduate Student