Dead mushroom causes and countermeasures
Tiandy Technologies CO.,LTD , https://en.tiandy.com
The aging of mycelium in mushroom cultivation can be a significant issue, especially when the strain is too old or the temperature during production is excessively high. Poor storage conditions and prolonged storage periods can lead to mycelium degradation, reduced viability, and insufficient nutrient accumulation, which ultimately result in weak or dead mushroom buds. To prevent this, it's essential to use high-quality, uncontaminated strains and maintain optimal growing conditions. The indoor environment should be clean, well-ventilated, and kept at a moderate temperature to avoid overheating. It’s also important to prepare and use strains promptly rather than storing them for extended periods.
High temperatures during the early stages of fruiting can also cause problems. If the temperature exceeds 20°C, the mushroom bed may lose moisture rapidly, leading to inadequate water and nutrient supply. This, combined with poor ventilation, can result in small, weak mushrooms that wither and die. To address this, growers should monitor weather changes closely, adjust greenhouse temperatures accordingly, and ensure proper air circulation to prevent heat stress on the mushrooms.
Poor ventilation in the mushroom house is another common problem. If the shed lacks sufficient airflow, the metabolic heat from the fruiting bodies cannot be expelled effectively, leading to oxygen depletion and excessive carbon dioxide buildup (over 0.1%). This can hinder mushroom growth and even cause death, especially when combined with high temperatures. To improve ventilation, it's recommended to open windows or use fans two to three times daily, particularly during hotter parts of the day like mornings or evenings.
Improper watering practices can also lead to mushroom death. If the cover soil isn’t replenished in time or if water is sprayed too heavily, it can cause bud desiccation or over-saturation, both of which are harmful. During the fruiting stage, water should be applied lightly with fine mist when the fruit body is about the size of a grain of rice. As the mushrooms grow larger, the spray volume can be increased slightly, but care must be taken not to let water pool in the substrate. After each watering, good air circulation should be maintained to prevent excessive humidity.
Mushrooms thrive in a pH range of 6 to 8. If the pH of the culture medium or spray water falls below 5 or above 9, it can severely harm the mushroom buds, causing them to die. Therefore, it’s crucial to test the pH of both the soil and the water before use and adjust it appropriately. This ensures a stable and suitable environment for mushroom development.
Diseases and pests are major threats to mushroom crops. Common diseases include rust spots and dry rot, while pests like red spiders, fungus gnats, and fruit flies can damage or kill the mushrooms. Overuse of pesticides can also be harmful. To manage these issues, an integrated approach is recommended—focusing on prevention through proper sanitation, controlling pests in the cover soil, and using chemicals only when necessary. Infected or dead mushrooms should be removed immediately to prevent the spread of disease.
Mechanical damage during harvesting can also lead to mushroom loss. When mushrooms are too dense, shaking or handling them roughly can cause some to break or die. Therefore, careful and gentle harvesting techniques are essential to minimize damage and preserve the quality of the crop.