Abstract: In a plant for the continuous production of green forage from germinable seeds, the latter are mashed and then carried on trays into a germinating chamber, in which the seeds are treated to form a rootlet mat. This is then carried on revolving endless belts through successive air-conditioned chambers to form green forage. At least one germinating chamber for promoting the formation of a rootlet mat and at least one air-conditioned chamber for promoting the production of green forage or for promoting the formation of stems from the rootlet mat in masses of green forage are connected to a circulating duct for conducting gaseous reactants from one chamber to the other. The trays carrying the seeds in the germinating chamber for the formation of a rootlet mat comprise a frame and one or more carrying grids, which are welded in said frame or loosely held therein and supported to resist sagging.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing plants mycorrhyzated (i.e. having their roots associated) with symbiotic fungi, so as to apply mycorrhyzation to already adult plants and obtain mycorrhyzated plants which can produce fruit-bearing bodies immediately after being planted.The method consists in cultivating a set of young plants in sterile soil, preferably starting from seed, and in mycorrhyzating the young plants grown in sterile conditions, by placing their roots in contact with roots previously mycorrhyzated with the desired fungus and obtained under natural conditions from other plants. The resulting pilot young plants are planted in a sterile greenhouse or sterile nursery, in which already adult plants are subsequently planted so as to be mycorrhyzated, after secondary roots have first been eliminated and the remaining roots have been sterilized. The pilot young plants mycorrhyzate the adult plants with the desired fungus, so that the plants can immediately produce fruit-bearing bodies.

Abstract: In the cultivation of mushrooms from an underlying bed containing mushroom spores, novel compositions and processes are provided for a casing layer which is placed over the compost layer containing spawning mycelium. A hydrophilic, thermosetting prepolymer resin is mixed in with a casing substrate, preferably Canadian peat, other optional additives and sufficient amount of water to form a slurry, and the mixture is allowed to cure to a spongy block. The cured material is then pulverized and deposited as a casing layer over the compost layer. Because of the high water retention qualities of this material, watering the mushroom beds is reduced by a factor of three or more, thereby reducing operation and production costs, as also the incidence and severity of disease and displeasing blemishes.

Abstract: A cellulosic medium for growing mushrooms is disclosed. A liquid mixture containing sources of soluble carbon and nitrogen is fermented and mixed with cellulosic material. The so-treated cellulosic material is held at a temperature and for a time sufficient to allow substantial reduction of organisms damaging to mushroom culture. The cellulosic material then is cooled to a temperature suitable for spawning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stackable crate assemblies for use in plant cultivation and transportation, each crate assembly including a latticed bottom member, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, respectively. Supporting legs and support protrusions extend in spaced relationship from each side wall. At least one and preferably both end walls connected to the bottom member by hinged joints to facilitate loading and unloading of the crates.

Abstract: Plant cultivation units include several tiers of cultivation beds in open baskets supported on trays extending between endless chains which couple a pair of drive pulleys to a pair of idler pulleys. The beds are driven about a generally vertical endless path at a speed sufficient to cause artifical air movement and to maintain a low air temperature differential between the top and bottom of the endless path; this permits greater vertical separation between the top and bottom of the path and greater growth area to floor area ratios. Hollow pulley shafts supply and withdraw air. A pair of pipes supply water and steam. A method of growing mushrooms includes two phases in a common housing: a pasteurization phase and a growth phase.

Abstract: A mushroom growing method and apparatus in which a tray is filled with compost mixed with mushroom spawn, and the compost is covered with a layer of casing medium. The tray is supported horizontally while the mycelium colonizes the casing medium, and is then supported in an upright disposition under mushroom growing conditions so that the mushrooms grow from the upright face of the consolidated casing medium. Two trays may be supported back-to-back in an upright disposition against a stanchion. Alternatively, the trays may be hinged together and lifted to rest against each other back-to-back. The casing medium layer is watered by wicks dipping into water containers.

Abstract: A bag for cultivating mushrooms constructed at least in part from a microporous film which has gas-permeability but does not pass bacteria and infectious microbes.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laying a uniformly thick and, hence, a uniformly dense bed of compost for growing mushrooms and the like are provided. In the shelf system compost is supplied via a conveyer belt from an external supply through the door of a conventional mushroom house to a transverse, variable speed, reversible distributor which distributes the compost uniformly across the shelf at one end thereof onto a moving belt or web, which belt moves along the floor of the shelf from the supply end of the shelf to the far end thereof. The compost which is distributed by the distributor at the supply end moves on the belt toward the far end on the belt, being passed under a rotating, bladed leveling member located in close proximity to the supply end. The blades are set at a height from the floor of the shelf corresponding to the desired thickness of the final compost bed.

Abstract: This application relates to an improved system for aerating mushroom cultivating chambers.

Abstract: An improved method for making composts, aerating composts, growing mushroom spawn, generating methane gas and filling conveyors in the mushroom-growing industry is provided using ribbon-type mixers. The mixers may be of the double-ribbon type for purely mixing operations and of the single-ribbon type for operations wherein it is primarily desired to move the material from one place to another. All of the mixers are equipped to operate under pressure.

Abstract: The Phase II pasteurization stage in mushroom production is improved by introducing into the mushroom house or Phase II room at low pressure a volume of fresh air to provide temperature controlled oxygen for the compost in the mushroom house or Phase II room.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing monokaryons of dikaryotic strains of Basidiomycetes by chemical means, for instance Pleurotus ostreatus, Kuehneromyces mutabilis, Flammulina velutipes or Lentinus edodes under gentle conditions so that essentially two monokaryons result per dikaryon-containing hyphal compartment. These monokaryons can be used for mating with compatible partners to give dikaryotic Basidiomycetes strains.

Abstract: Rack for the cultivation of mushrooms and similar fungi, comprising superimposed troughs with side slats consisting of aluminum profiles and a bottom constituted by horizontal, extruded aluminum floor members running in transverse direction, through which members bars or tubes protrude.

Abstract: A chamber for exposing animals, plants, or materials to air containing gases or aerosols is so constructed that catch pans for animal excrement, for example, serve to aid the uniform distribution of air throughout the chamber instead of constituting obstacles as has been the case in prior animal exposure chambers. The chamber comprises the usual imperforate top, bottom and side walls. Within the chamber, cages and their associated pans are arranged in two columns. The pans are spaced horizontally from the walls of the chamber in all directions. Corresponding pans of the two columns are also spaced horizontally from each other. Preferably the pans of one column are also spaced vertically from corresponding pans of the other column. Air is introduced into the top of the chamber and withdrawn from the bottom. The general flow of air is therefore vertical.

Abstract: The invention disclosed comprises a process and apparatus for the cultivation of cells, and having particular application to the product of mushroom spawn, in which a particulate substrate, water and, in some cases chalk, are introduced into a rotary blender and thoroughly mixed and sterilized at a temperature of about 250.degree. F. The mixture is cooled in the blender and a cell line inoculum is sterilely introduced into the mixture and thoroughly blended with the substrate. The blended inoculum and substrate are transferred in a sterile air flow from the blender to sterile containers which include a breathing strip in which the cells lines are incubated. The apparatus includes the combination of blender, transfer means and a clean room for filling the sterile containers.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an apparatus for applying layers of friable material on a belt, roller means over which the belt passes to define an upper reach for supporting the friable material to be deposited on said surface and a lower reach means for moving said roller means over the surface to be layered with the friable material, so that the belt passes over the roller means from the upper reach to the lower reach so that the belt can therefore drop friable material carried by the upper reach onto the surface to be layered.

Abstract: A synthetic casing for mushroom beds is provided by a formulation consisting of a water absorptive material selected from paper plant waste, spent mushroom compost and cottonseed hulls; the water absorptive material is mixed with activated carbon, water and limestone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described which facilitates the filling of mushroom beds with compost and the covering of a composted and spawned mushroom bed with casing soil. A hopper means adapted to be affixed temporarily to one end of a mushroom bed is provided with means for delivering compost and casing soil from the hopper onto a flexible sheet which in turn is adapted to be pulled lengthwise of the mushroom bed. As the sheet is pulled away from the hopper a retroverted portion of the sheet continuously deposits the compost into the bed or the casing soil on the top of the compost uniformly covering the bed. The sheet is pulled by a winch operated cable, and the winch and hopper are mounted outboard of the mushroom bed so as to be suitable for use with a frame containing a plurality of vertically arranged beds.

Abstract: A method for the vessel cultivation of Lentinus edodes in which seed fungi of Lentinus edodes are inoculated into a culture medium in a cultivation vessel comprising mainly light-impermeable portions but including some localized light-permeable portions, taking out the culture medium from the vessel after hyphae have been sufficiently developed in the culture medium and subjecting the culture medium to a fruiting body-producing treatment.

Abstract: An improved method of producing mushroom spawn without the necessity of employing a heated pressurized autoclave to sterilize the growth chamber and the mushroom mycelium growth medium contained therein. The elimination of the autoclave not only eliminates an expensive piece of equipment, but also saves substantial time, as well as the possibility of serious injuries that have occurred in the past in using heated autoclaves.

Abstract: Method and kits are provided for the cultivation of Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and similar forest mushrooms. A cultivation medium is introduced into a microorganism impermeable flexible container which is sealed against particulate matter, but allows the flow of air, the medium sterilized and then cooled. The bag is opened and inoculated with spawn, closed, and the spawn incubated at moderately elevated temperatures while being molded into a shaped form, conveniently a log or stump form, the container removed, and, as required, curing at moderate or moderately reduced temperatures carried out. Conditions are then changed to encourage growth of the mushrooms, followed by harvesting. A mushroom crop can be achieved in as few as about 40 days with continuous production for as long as about ten months.

Abstract: Composting compositions are provided which avoid conventional composting for production of mushrooms requiring casing. A mixture of steer manure and peat moss in combination with a small amount of an agent for maintaining permeability is mixed with water and sterilized. The resulting product provides excellent composting for mushrooms requiring casing, with rapid production and high yield.

Abstract: A method for aseptically sowing small seeds or spores of green plants includes preparation of a sterile closed flask (one-half pint jar) containing a growth medium and having both a contamination-resistant vent and a puncturable, resealing membrane in its closure. The seeds or spores are placed in a hypodermic syringe and a sterilizing solution is drawn into the syringe and held in contact with the seeds long enough to sterilize their surfaces. If desired, the sterilizing solution is ejected from the syringe through a filter or otherwise so as to retain the seeds or spores, and replaced by a wash liquid. The syringe is fitted with a sterile hypodermic needle of sufficient bore size to pass the seeds or spores. The needle is inserted through the membrane, after sterilizing the outside surface of the membrane, and the sterilized seeds or spores are discharged directly from the syringe onto the growth medium in the flask.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the production of tuber-producing plants per unit area is disclosed. In accordance with this invention, a seed-tuber is planted in soil that is contained in a first box or frame unit. As the plant grows it develops new leaves and axil-buds. When the plant reaches a given height, which is different for different plants, a new layer of soil is added to the first box or frame unit. The new layer of soil does not completely cover the plant. Instead, a layer of soil is added such that the apical meristem is located at the soil surface or about one cm. below the soil surface. As the plant continues to grow another new layer of soil is again added in the manner described. When the level of the soil approaches the top of the first box or frame unit, a second box or frame unit designed to fit on top of the first box or frame unit is placed on top of the first box or frame unit.

Abstract: Lentinus edodes is artificially cultivated by inoculating an artificial solid granular or fibrous culture medium with fungus seed of Lentinus edodes, cultivating the bed to generate hyphae on the surface thereof, covering localized areas of said surface with an air-permeable coating material before said hyphae become brown, continuing cultivation of said bed to cause the uncovered hyphae to become brown and then subjecting the bed to mushroom-growing conditions.

Abstract: Lentinus edodes is cultivated in wide-mouth bottles or bags by forming a plurality of holes in the culture medium along the inner wall of the bottle or bag and inoculating the fungus seed into those holes.

Abstract: A synthetic casing for mushroom beds in order to grow mushrooms is provided by a formulation consisting of a water absorptive material such as shredded newspaper, powdered activated carbon, water, limestone and gypsum.

Abstract: Upon the premises that greater and better food production is vital, this invention (herein abbreviated as AGRIUM) discloses an architecturally and aesthetically acceptable urban domicile, methodology and intensification of continuous food production in the urban or suburban environment with energy and resource conservation, automation and mass production techniques and apparatus included.

Abstract: A method of artificially growing edible fungi by ordinarily sterilizing a nutrient medium for edible fungus cultivation, setting the edible fungus sporiferous source in the sterilized nutrient medium, culturing the inoculated original hypha until it becomes prevalent over the nutrient medium, subjecting the prevalent hypha to a high temperature treatment and a subsequent low temperature treatment and then a cool water treatment.

Abstract: A sterilizable bag for use in the production of mushroom spawn has at least a panel of microporous plastics sheet material, for example microporous polypropylene or polyethylene, which is a good bacterial filter. In use the bag is filled with a particulate nutrient material, sterilized, inoculated with mycelium, and then stored under incubation conditions for growth of the mycelium through the nutrient material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for the hydration and/or cooking of a particulate material, for example grain which is to be used as a nutrient medium for mycelium growth in the production of mushroom spawn, or food products such as peas, beans, rice, diced root vegetables or meat cut into small pieces.The material is heat treated under pressure with water in liquid or vapour phase, then flash cooled and sterilized. Throughout these operations the material is agitated and the treated sterile material is fed into sterile containers under aseptic conditions.

Abstract: A method and equipment to implement said method for the production of microbes on a solid or liquid substrate, particularly mushroom mycelium growing on a grain substrate, the latter known as "mushroom spawn", are provided wherein the spawn is grown in a transparent, heat sterilizable plastic bag with a temporary screw-on closure thereon. The finished spawn is prepared for market merely by removing the reusable temporary closure and closing the top of the plastic bag container.

Abstract: A container for a growing media, e.g. compost, is disclosed as for use in the production of mushrooms. A plurality of individual container sections with the upper end open, having a depth generally in excess of 20 inches and a width under 16 inches, are affixed together in critically spaced-apart relationship to hold quantities of media. A peripheral, confining wall is provided above the container sections for supporting a common layer defining a continuous bed surface. As disclosed, the structure is fabricated of steel-wire mesh affixed to a frame of beam and column supports, and is lined, as with plastic film. Also as disclosed, a plurality of bed structures are affixed in stacked, spaced-apart tray configurations, for economy of space and handling.

Abstract: A cellulosic starting material, substantially devoid of nitrogen values is moistened to bring its water content to at least 50%, pasteurized by steam treatment during which the temperature is increased to a maximum of about 70.degree. C and maintained at such temperature for about 12 hours during which time a relative humidity of about 100% is likewise maintained whereby the starting material is digested. The material is cooled to about 55.degree. C to proliferate thermophilic metabolite producing microorganisms. This temperature is maintained for about 36 hours and is then lowered to about 40.degree.-45.degree. C and maintained at that level for about 24 hours whereby another group of microorganisms is proliferated. The substrate so produced is cooled to 25.degree. C or less. The process provides the substrate with metabolites that protect it against microorganisms which compete for substrate carbon sources with the macrofungi to be cultivated on the substrate.

Abstract: A rectangular wooden tray having a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of opposed end panels, and a bottom is carried by four wooden legs tied together by a system of cross bracing overlying the bottom of the tray.

Abstract: A substance useful for the growth of plants, which is produced from the hyphae of an edible fungus such as shiitake and contains organic germanium as main effective ingredient, as well as a process of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Elongated receptacles, such as mushroom trays, are emptied of particulate material by positioning a screw conveyor transversely to the length of the tray and at one end of the tray. A winch, placed at the opposite end of a tray, with its cable attached to the frame of the screw conveyor, pulls the screw conveyor along the length of the tray to discharge the particulate matter out one side of the tray. Steering pads in the form of plates pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the screw conveyor frame may be selectively depressed by the operator standing on them and shifting his weight to aid in steering the screw conveyor through the length of the tray. The winch cable is connected to the frame of the screw conveyor by means of an L-shaped hook which acts on the lower rear portion of the frame. This enables the bottom portion of a shroud, which encloses the screw conveyor, to ride against the bottom of the tray, scrape the bottom of the tray, and remove any loose particulate matter left by the conveyor.

Abstract: Denatured protein is used as a nutrient supplement for the stimulation of the growth of mushroom mycelium. The denatured protein is admixed into the compost growing medium before or shortly after spawning. A synergistic effect is attained by admixing a vegetable oil, or fish oil with the denatured protein.

Abstract: A process for the growth and production of mushroom tissue which comprises the steps of suspending mushroom tissue in an aqueous nutrient fermentation medium solution, inoculating said solution into a mushroom growth and production bed comprising saw dust, wheat bran, rice bran, peptide for synthetic Japanese sake or liquor, acid potassium phosphate and/or chaff, and contained in a container, adjusting the pH of said bed to pH of 6.0-5.0 with an acid, ageing said mushroom growth and production bed under fermentation conditions, cooling the bed, turning the container upside-down and subjecting said bed to mushroom growth and production conditions.

Abstract: An elongated bed for growing mushrooms and the like is longitudinally displaceable by being supported on an open-weave fabric slidable on a second open-weave fabric which in turn is supported on a floor.

Abstract: A technique for forcing the growth of Belgium endive in which roots grown in the field are placed in sterile growing media in pallet boxes stacked one above the other within a controlled-environment chamber whose available volume is fully utilized. In a production cycle, the growth of shoots from the roots is initiated by a start-up temperature in the range of 70.degree. to 80.degree.F, the temperature thereafter being reduced to the range of 52.degree. to 56.degree.F for the remainder of the forcing cycle. The relative humidity is maintained in the range of 70 percent to 85 percent. The roots are planted in a clean, sterile growing media so that in harvesting, when the shoot is cut from the root, it is clean and requires no washing.