Abstract: The method is for reaction treatment including: an organic waste in which oxygen is difficult to penetrate and in which a biochemical reaction by microbe is difficult to occur. This method includes: forcedly supplying oxygen to inner parts of the organic waste to elevate, by biochemical reactions, the temperature of the inner parts of the organic waste to which oxygen has been supplied; and maintaining the elevated temperature to continue the biochemical reactions and thereby compost the organic waste. Thereafter, the organic waste which has been composted is held in the presence of oxygen and carbon monoxide to cause an exothermic reaction and thereby reduce the volume of the organic waste or carbonize the waste.

Abstract: The method contains the following steps. In step A, supersonic waves are applied to Mountain Litsea fruits for excitation and sterilization. In step B, the inferior fruits and the cleaning water are removed from the water tank, placed in a fermentative tank, and left for fermentation. After the fermentation, a pressing and separation process is conducted. In step C, the superior fruits are placed in a separate fermentative tank for fermentation into mofetil alcohol. In step D, the superior fruits are alternatively mixed with pure water, crushed, and placed in a boiler for aging and sterilization. Then the crushed and aged fruits are placed in yet another fermentative tank with pure water for fermentation. After the fermentation, a pomace separation process is conducted. The separated pomace becomes a Mountain Litsea wine lees, whereas the separated water becomes a Mountain Litsea enzymatic liquid.

Abstract: A novel strain of Pleurotus nebrodensis (Daewang No. 1, Accession No.: KACC93181P) and a method for cultivating it are provided. The novel strain of Pleurotus nebrodensis is different from the existing Pleurotus ferulae in shape and physiological characteristic, has an extra after-ripening period, can be grown at a low temperature of 22 to 25° C. and a low water content (RH) of 60 to 650, can be cultivated in slightly acid environment of pH 5.5 to 6.5, can utilize bottle cultivation, and has a good shape not to be easily damaged in packaging. Thus, the novel strain of Pleurotus nebrodensis according to the present invention have good commercial value, are more resistant to environmental change, and can be mass produced by automation system and used for creating high value-added business in the food and agriculture industry.

Abstract: A method to improve the function and performance of the mushroom bed which comprises nutritionally supplementing the mushroom bed by mixing very small amounts of carboxylic acid salts into the casing layer or on the surface of the compost in close proximity to the casing layer of chalk and peat soils as commercially utilized. The salt may be derived from an aliphatic, alicyclic, heterocyclic or aromatic carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof. The cations may include potassium magnesium and preferably calcium and mixtures thereof for both casing additions and compost surface application. For compost surface additions only, ammonia and organic amines may also be used as cations. The carboxylic salts may be mixed with other nutrient substances to further improve performance.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide the truffle mycelium and fruiting body cultivated by the medium that are developed for cultivating the truffles with a very high radical oxygen scavenging capacity. A medium for cultivating truffles includes a mixture of at least one carbohydrate source selected from a group consisting of rice bran, wheat bran, and glucose, and at least one edible ingredient selected from a group consisting of burdock, nuts, and berries. A weight ratio of the edible ingredient to the carbohydrate source is between 0.5 and 5. As for one of the ingredients, it is preferable that the burdock is granulated. The medium may exist in a liquid state. By injecting truffle seeds for cultivation into such a medium, the truffle mycelium and fruiting body with the high reactive oxygen scavenging capacity could be provided.

Abstract: Methods, devices and kits are described for making a growing substrate from recycled coffee grounds and growing mushrooms.

Abstract: A method to improve the function and performance of the mushroom bed which comprises nutritionally supplementing the mushroom bed by mixing very small amounts of carboxylic acid salts into the casing layer or on the surface of the compost in close proximity to the casing layer of chalk and peat soils as commercially utilized. The salt may be derived from an aliphatic, alicyclic, heterocyclic or aromatic carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof. The cations may include potassium magnesium and preferably calcium and mixtures thereof for both casing additions and compost surface application. For compost surface additions only, ammonia and organic amines may also be used as cations. The carboxylic salts may be mixed with other nutrient substances to further improve performance.

Abstract: The method for producing functional compost according to the invention includes: inoculating a filamentous fungus with a function, such as the Coprinus curtus GM-21 strain (NITE BP-37) with a plant disease control function, into compost in an bacterial-activity-restricted state which is, for example, at least one state selected from the group consisting of a nutrient-restricted state, a pH-restricted state and a water content-restricted state; and cultivating the filamentous fungus in the compost to allow its selective proliferation. Further, the invention provides functional compost obtained by the above production method, as well as compost for proliferating a filamentous fungus in a bacterial-activity-restricted state.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new substrate comprising olive oil waste as the nutrient for growing edible and medicinal shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) in aseptic plastic bags. The invention further provides the strain Ile-1, a new and distinct variety of the species Lentinus edodes, that grows very efficiently in the olive oil waste-containing substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a biological fertilizer composition that comprises yeast cells and swine manure. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a biological fertilizer composition that comprises yeast cells and poultry manure. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor.

Abstract: A seed treating apparatus used to inoculate and treat seeds, which consists of a portable tank, pump, valve and nozzle system. This system can be mounted on any agricultural hauling vehicle or seeding implement to apply inoculant to seeds before or during the planting process. On a seeder having a transfer duct with a feed hopper at one end for receiving seed from a supply, the spray nozzle is mounted above the duct for spraying the material into the seed as it enters the hopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a pigment form or pigment concentrate comprising of an organic pigment, and optionally an inorganic filler and/or an organic additive for coloring of seeds. Seeds colored by the dry pigment forms or pigment concentrates show an homogeneous color and in some cases growth promotion effects.

Abstract: A method of delivering cultivated plant embryos including the step of orientating a plurality of plant embryos in a predetermined orientation. Analyzing each of the plurality of embryos according to a predetermined quality criteria to identify qualified embryos. Determining positional measurements of the qualified embryos and positioning a first seed coat relative to the qualified embryos. The method also includes the step of inserting one of the qualified embryos in the seed coat according to the positional measurements of the qualified embryos to minimize damage to and contamination of the qualified embryos.

Abstract: A Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) mobile station architecture consuming less power and random access memory (RAM) is presented herein. The mobile station includes a coprocessor which executes frame programs. The frame programs include instructions which address memory. The memory includes page addresses and byte addresses. The instructions of the frame program address the page addresses and byte addresses. A particular page address is reserved as a null page address, wherein any instruction addressing the null page address causes the memory locations of the most recently accessed memory page to be accessed.

Abstract: An in vitro system using Agrobacterium-transformed dicotyledon roots (such as carrot roots) and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (such as Glomus intradices) was developed to produce viable and aseptic spores. The entire life cycle from the growth of initial germ tubes to the formation of external mycelium network and spore production was observed nondestructively using light microscopy. The system may be subcultured continuously for the production of viable and clean spores.

Abstract: The present invention describes new and distinct horticultural varieties of higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms grown in submerged culture. Specifically, the new varieties of species of the genus Pleurotus offer superior yields of mushroom cell biomass and greater concentrations of the protein rich in essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Abstract: The present invention describes new and distinct horticultural varieties of higher Basidiomycetes mushroom grown in submerged culture. Specifically, the new varieties of species of the genus Tremella offer superior yields of mushroom one-cell biomass rich in essential amino acids and vitamins and polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan.

Abstract: A mushroom spawn comprising a mixture of: (a) at least one proteinaceous ingredient in an amount to provide at least 3.5% nitrogen on a dry weight basis; (b) 2 to 30 wt % based on dry weight of paper pellets (c) 5 to 60 wt % based on dry weight of at least one particulate material, (d) a buffer in an amount effective to provide a pH of about 6 to 7.8, and (e) water; and colonized with mushroom mycelium wherein the (b) paper pellets, (c) particulate material, or both in an amount effective to provide at least 10,000 particles per 100 g of finished product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing fungi, especially mushrooms, using a casing material comprising granules and/or agglomerates of granules of a mineral fibre structure, and to a casing material notably for the use in the production of fungi as well as a method for the preparation of a casing material. The invention furthermore relates to a casing spawn used for the inoculation of a casing material.The mineral fibres may be stone wool fibres, glass wool fibres, slag wool fibres, naturally occurring mineral fibre materials such as wollastonite and the like. The casing material may contain a binding agent, a nutrient source, a mineral source, a wetting agent, a pH-adjusting agent, a liming material, a fertilizer, a chelating agent and/or other excipients.

Abstract: The present invention provides an all-natural, non-chemically modified supplement for increasing the growth and/or crop yield of fungi in a growth medium comprising corn gluten meal having a particle size range of from about 10 to about 40 mesh, having a moisture content of less than about 10% and having a protein content of about 60% or greater of the total weight percent of the corn gluten meal. The present invention also provides processes for preparing the nutrient supplement, compositions containing the nutrient supplement and media and processes for growing fungi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of three (3) distinct savory flavor types of dehydrated mushrooms: (1) a light-colored material with strong mushroom flavor, (2) a tan-colored material with a meaty, buttery and savory flavor and (3) a dark-colored material with a beefy, meaty, chocolate flavor. All three products exhibit "umami" or monosodium glutamate (MSG)-like mouthfeel and flavor synergy. The mushrooms are produced using specialized nutrient additives, controlled growing conditions and specialized dehydration protocols.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the use of 10-oxo-trans-8-decenoic acid (ODA) as a fungal growth hormone to stimulate mycelial growth of cultivated mushrooms. A species of cultivated mushroom is selected and grown in a solid or liquid growth medium which has been supplemented with ODA to a concentration of 10.sup.-7 M to about 10.sup.-4 M. After culturing the mushroom the mycelium of cultivated mushroom is harvested. In addition to a method of using ODA, a method for the hormonal stimulation of fruiting in cultivated mushrooms is also disclosed. The ODA in this method is added to the casing layer of the compost which is mixed with mushroom spawn. Further, the ODA is added to the casing layer in aqueous solution after casing the compost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of three (3) distinct savory flavor types of dehydrated mushrooms: (1) a light-colored material with strong mushroom flavor, (2) a tan-colored material with a meaty, buttery and savory flavor and (3) a dark-colored material with a beefy, meaty, chocolate flavor. All three products exhibit "umami" or monosodium glutamate (MSG)-like mouthfeel and flavor synergy. The mushrooms are produced using specialized nutrient additives, controlled growing conditions and specialized dehydration protocols.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved casing spawn that reduces the time between casing and the onset of mushroom production. The casing spawn is prepared from particles containing no available nutrients and with a substantial capacity to hold moisture (nutritionally inert particles). The particles are amended with sufficient nutrients to support the growth of Agaricus bisporus mycelium but less than the amount known to inhibit mushroom primordium formation or allow mold growth. A mixture of these ingredients is moistened, sterilized, and inoculated with Agaricus bisporus mycelium. Following incubation to allow full colonization of the mixture, the colonized material is mixed with casing material in order to inoculate mushroom casing layers. The invention provides a fully functional casing spawn without sacrificing mushroom bed volume or risking the transmission of diseases to the crop.

Abstract: Methods of making agricultural materials for aiding and facilitating the growth of plants and crops are based on the combination of waste paper and other materials and the formation of such combinations into pellets. Where the agricultural material is for use in the casing layer of a mushroom tray, the agricultural material is made from a combination of waste paper and a pH adjusting material, which is preferably lime. Where the agricultural material is for general use in agricultural and horticultural applications, it is made from a combination of waste paper and compost material, the ratio of the compost used in the combination being between about 90% to 40% by weight.

Abstract: There is provided a method of cultivating mushrooms and mushroom spawn, wherein a delayed-release nutrient supplement is utilized. The method is an improvement over prior methods which utilize nutrient supplements in the growing of mushrooms and mushroom spawn. The improvement comprises using as a nutrient supplement an intact seed having its sprouting capability irreversibly inhibited or destroyed, or mixtures thereof, and having inherent delayed-release properties.

Abstract: A mobile machine and process are provided for milling, mixing, wetting and re-forming an initial windrow of vertically layered ingredients used in the pre-wet cycle for producing mushroom compost. In performing these actions, an assembly of toothed drums, rotating in the same direction and arranged along an upwardly and forwardly projecting inclined plane, progressively mills the windrow across its cross-section longitudinally and propels the milled material upwardly and rearwardly so that it drops and mixes to form a vertically blended, transverse product. The product is preferably cross-mixed by auguring it transversely and depositing it at a transfer point, from whence it is elevated and delivered by a conveyor belt, to form a new windrow parallel or collinear with the initial windrow. Water is sprayed on the ingredients in the course of propelling auguring and elevating.

Abstract: There is provided a culture medium for cultivating mushrooms whose material can be selected from a variety of woody materials and which can be transported in a compact form. There is also provided a method of cultivating mushrooms using such a culture medium in which pathogenic and other germs are less likely to breed and with which mushrooms can be cultivated in shorter periods. After adding nutrients such as rice and wheat brans, a mixture of dried sawdust and chip dust is heated at 150.degree.-500.degree. C. for 1-5 minutes under a pressure of 1.0-3.0 t/cm.sup.2 to form a cylindrical woody culture medium. The medium thus obtained is allowed to swell by adding water and then sterilized by sealing it in a bag. Mushroom fungi is then inoculated into it.

Abstract: Intact seed of rapeseed is added to compost at spawning to increase the yield of mushrooms similar to chemical-based delayed-release supplements. No chemicals, however, are needed in its preparation, only a treatment to destroy sprouting of the seed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mycelial fertilizer that is characterized in method, and the objects thereof are to provide a mycelial fertilizer wherein the mycelial fertilizer containing mainly thermactinomyces is carried on a specified carrier to contribute the metabolites of the thermoactinomyces and the decomposition products of the thermoactinomyces to the growth of plants as effective fertilizers in soil, and to provide a method of producing the mycelial fertilizer.

Abstract: A method of improving the yield of mushrooms which comprises supplementing the compost with an effective amount of a salt of an aliphatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic carboxylic acid, said salt being a calcium salt and/or a salt with an aliphatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic amine.

Abstract: A complete fertilizer and nutrient material with low solubility comprised of potassium calcium sulfate, calcium ammonium phosphate, and ammonium bitartrate. The low solubility fertilizer is made easily from commonly available substances. Potassium bi-tartrate is dissolved with ammonium hydroxide solution forming a solution. An aqueous slurry is made from calcium sulphate and monocalcium phosphate. The solution and slurry are mixed. A precipitate then forms, which is a complete fertilizer, 8-10-7, having low solubility. The fertilizer is easily produced. The composition can also be used as a nutrient material for growing fungi.

Abstract: An improved substrate for mushrooms that is essentially cellulose-free comprising a major portion of grain and minor portions of nutritional supplements. The grain is partially sterilized by boiling in order to kill bacteria, cooled in order to induce germination of the heat resistant spores, and steam sterilized before the germinated spores have matured sufficiently to create new spores. The substate can be used to grow fungi, including mushrooms, especially shiitake.

Abstract: A vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum composition comprising host plant roots colonized by at least one species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, the colonized roots having a particle size in the range of from about 33 .mu.m to about 425 .mu.m and a propagule density of up to about 1,000,000 vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi propagules per gram dry mass of host plant root; methods for the encapsulation thereof and methods for enhancing plant growth utilizing the inocula.

Abstract: Soybean meal and urea compositions have been found to exhibit enhanced and commercially useful nematistatic and nematicidal activity in soils. Chitin-containing materials, e.g., crab shells, shrimp shells, fungal mycella, etc., have also been found to exhibit enhanced and commercially useful nematistatic and nematicidal activity in soils when admixed with other organic nitrogen-containing materials such as ammonium phosphates, a source of urea, and plant, fish or animal meal. Also, compositions formulated of two different chitin source materials can be used. The soybean-urea compositions as well as the blended chitin-containing formulations are non-phytotoxic and simultaneously provide cost-effective biological suppression of plant pathogenic nematode populations and excellent plant nutrition.

Abstract: A method of converting the composition of peat which comprises the steps of:mixing the peat with 10 to 40% by weight of particles of cereals such as corn or bran thereof on the basis of the weight of the peat;culturing the hyphas of a mycorhiza-forming, white-rotting edible mushroom with the mixture used as a culture bed;germinating the resultant fruit bodies;removing the fruit bodies from the culture bed;utilizing the residue as a livestock feed; andwhere required, adding a fermentation agent to the residue to ferment it into a fertilizer.

Abstract: A nutrient supplement for enhancing the growth of mushrooms in a compost bed is disclosed. The supplement comprises a protein material (e.g., corn gluten meal) coated with a hydrophilic carbohydrate material.

Abstract: A method of proliferating vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (i.e., VAM fungi) is disclosed which comprises inoculating VAM fungi in a soil medium containing a potato and a porous amphoteric ion exchanger, an accelerator and, optionally, in the presence of a VAM formation accelerator.An advantage gained by the use of VAM fungi in cultivation of plants can be found in the fact that smaller amounts of fertilizers need be used when combined with VAM fungi, as opposed to the use of fertilizers alone.

Abstract: A non-sterile, pasteurized nutrient substrate composition is disclosed suitable for growing shiitake mushrooms. Its composition and preparation are described. In addition, the use of the substrate composition is taught for the commercial, large-scale growth of shiitake mushrooms in trays or beds.

Abstract: A process of preparing a mushroom growth medium from a cellulosic material is provided in which the cellulosic material used in the solid-state fermentation process is chemically ammoniated. The chemical ammoniation step reduces composting time, particularly preconditioning time, while providing a compost and a mushroom bed material comparable to that achieved by commercial composting processes, which do not use ammoniated straw.

Abstract: An osmoprotectant particle for use in enhancing fungus growth and particularly for use with edible mushrooms. The osmoprotectant particle includes a carrier particle, either a protein or a neutral material and a plurality of osmoprotectant microdroplets containing water soluble phosphoglyceride such as hydroxy lecithin and betaine or choline which are attached to a plurality of recesses formed about the carrier particle. Denaturation of the protein and/or control of a surface-to-volume ratio restricts access to the microdroplets such that only mushroom mycelia occuring in the later flushes will be able to utilize the phospholipid droplets. A method is provided for producing the osmoprotectant particles utilizing either the protein carrier particle or the neutral carrier particle.

Abstract: A synthetic substrate which supports the growth and development of filamentous fungi is disclosed. The substrate is comprised of a nutrient in a hydrated hydrogel matrix forming a capsule. In a preferred embodiment, the capsule has an irregular external surface to allow filamentous fungi to adhere thereto even when shaken. Also disclosed is a synthetic CACing agent which includes the synthetic substrate of the present invention, a method of manufacturing the synthetic substrate of the present invention and a method of cultivating mushroom spawn and cultivating mushrooms utilizing the synthetic substrate.

Abstract: A mushroom growth enhancer is provided consisting of a cracked soybean product in combination with a preservative agent. The cracked soybean product is size-adjusted to -10+30 U.S. standard mesh and dehulled. The dehulled, size-adjusted product is then combined with a preservative agent. The resulting combination is pasteurized at 220.degree. F. for 5 minutes. After pasteurization, excess water is evaporated to prevent spoilage by microorganisms not destroyed during pasteurization. After water evaporization, the resulting product is rapidly cooled. Rapid cooling prevents denaturation of the soybean protein. Because the present invention consists of a substantially undenatured protein product, the use of adversely high temperature conditions and harmful chemical denaturants is not required.

Abstract: A mushroom growing supplement is prepared from acidic corn gluten meal by mixing with aqueous formaldehyde while maintaining the meal in free-flowing condition. The treated meal is then packaged without heating or drying and is ready for use by mushroom growers.

Abstract: The process and apparatus according to the invention are suitable for sterile and/or partially sterile preparation, inoculation and bagging of mushroom substratum. The joint application of the process and apparatus enables the use of agricultural wastes and the production of substratum in reduced time so that the yield can be multipled compared with the practices known so far and the expenditures are lower than those known so far.In the course of the process according to the invention dry straw and/or corn-cob are comminuted to the required size and admitted together with additive into a closed system. The material is treated with 90.degree. C. hot water until 70% moisture content is reached in the first step, while it is continuously mixed, then it is sterilized by heating for 35 minutes. Next the material is cooled to 25.degree. C. and the internal pressure of the apparatus is equalized to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of producing wood-rottening edible mushrooms on a bed prepared from a carbonhydrate, lignin and protein containing compound material, said bed comprising mainly a cellulose containing material, minor amounts of proteinaceous and farinaceous substance as well as water, the bed is packed and pasteurized, a mushroom mycolim is transferred onto bed by injecting, the mycolium is grown in bed by varying the amount of temperature and light, the bed is removed from package for the production of edible mushrooms. According to the invention the bed material is mixed with minor amounts of peat during the preparation of the material, the total amount of starch and protein is restricted to less than 10% and the pH value of bed is adjusted to less than 5.

Abstract: An improved nutrient supplement is disclosed for enhancing the growth of mushroom mycelia in a compost bed comprising a combination of a protein-containing nutrient and a composition for inhibiting the growth of molds in said compost bed. Methods for making said supplement and a process for its use are also disclosed.

Abstract: It has been a problem to pellet seeds with inoculum of the beneficial VA mycorrhizal fungus. Hitherto, clay or soil pellets have been tried but they are difficult to adjust to a suitable moisture content and the pellets are too heavy, and there is a problem in placement of the seed so as to ensure that the radicle will grow through the pellet and thereby pick up the desired fungal infection. It has now been found that satisfactory pellets can be made using a mixture of peat, preferably sphagnum moss peat (instead of soil), together with a binder, seed and the VA mycorrhizal fungus, and that even when the pellet is dried considerably the inoculum retains infectivity for at least 6 months, using sphagnum moss peat. The composition in compacted, sowing unit, e.g. pellet, form and a method of growing plant from seed are claimed. The invention is useful for improving the condition of poor soil, e.g. filled-in gravel pits or coal mine spoil tips.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of facilitating vegetation with the aid of a fungal mycelium biomass in admixture with a polybutadiene and application forms comprising such components.