Growth and development conditions of shiitake mushrooms

How much do you know about the growth and development conditions of shiitake mushrooms? Here are some introductions:

⑴ Temperature

Under humid conditions, the optimum temperature for basidiospore germination is 22-26°C. The temperature range for mycelium growth is 5-24°C, with the most suitable temperature being 24-27°C. However, due to the protective effect of wood, mushroom wood can survive safely in high-cold mountainous areas with temperatures below -20°C or in low-altitude areas with temperatures above 40°C, and mycelium will not die.

⑵ Water content

In sawdust culture medium, the optimum water content for mycelium growth is 60-70%; in mushroom wood, the appropriate water content is 32-40%. The survival rate is not high below 32%, and mycelium growth is extremely poor under 10%-15%. During the formation of fruiting bodies, the water content of mushroom wood should be maintained at about 60%, and the air humidity should be 80-90%.

⑶ Nutrition

Shiitake mushrooms are a kind of wood-rotting fungi, and their main nutrients are carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds, as well as a small amount of inorganic salts and vitamins. The various nutrients in the mushroom wood and culture medium can only be absorbed and utilized by shiitake mushrooms when they are dissolved in water.

⑷ Air

Shiitake mushrooms are aerobic fungi, and sufficient fresh air is one of the important environmental conditions to ensure the normal growth and development of shiitake mushrooms. If the cultivation environment is too closed, it is easy to produce deformed long-handled mushrooms and big-footed mushrooms.

⑸ Light

Shiitake mushrooms are light-requiring fungi, and diffuse light of appropriate intensity is a necessary condition for Shiitake mushrooms to complete their normal life cycle. However, mycelium growth does not require light. Studies have shown that blue light with a wavelength of 380-540nm has an inhibitory effect on mycelium growth, but is most beneficial to primordium formation.

The differentiation and growth of shiitake mushroom fruiting bodies require light. Fruiting bodies cannot form without light. Studies have shown that a light intensity of 40-7-lx is more suitable. Shiitake mushroom primordia tend to grow in the dark, with a small cap, long stalk, light color, thin flesh, and poor quality.

⑹ pH

The pH value of the culture medium suitable for the growth of shiitake mycelium is 5-6. The pH value of 3.5-4.5 is suitable for the formation of shiitake primordium and the development of fruiting bodies. During the decomposition of logs, the pH value of the mushroom wood continues to decrease, thus promoting the formation of fruiting bodies.