Abstract: The invention concerns a fertilizer to enhance the mycorhization and the fructification of mycorhizal mushrooms, in particular the tuber melanosporum. This fertilizer includes a mixture of non-ferment organic substances of animal origin (ovine excrements, fowl droppings, dried blood or feather powder), of organic substances of vegetable origin and essentially proteins and carbohydrates (in particular grains, flours, oil or cattle cakes or vegetable wastes from soy, cotton, wheat, rice, ricinus) and at least one alkalizing compound suitable to provide the mixture with a pH higher than 8; the mutual proportions of the ingredients are adjusted so that the C/N ration of the mixture is at least 10.

Abstract: An improved nutrient supplement is disclosed for enhancing the growth of mushroom mycelium in a compost bed comprising a particulate nutrient supplement having at least a partial coating of a hydrophobic material that is not readily assimilable by competing microorganisms in the compost.

Abstract: Nutrients for supporting fungi growth, and particularly mushroom growth, are provided by a liquid nutrient comprising the product of a thermophilic digestion process. The liquid nutrient is contacted with and absorbed in a support medium to form a growing bed. The liquid nutrient is inoculated with spawn of the particular fungi to be grown. The inoculated product is then maintained under temperature and humidity conditions that promote mycelia growth. Once mycelia appear, the growing bed can be cased to promote the growth of fruiting bodies. The growing bed can be replaced on a batch basis. Alternatively, the bed can be irrigated on an intermittent or continuous basis to replenish the nutrient supply.

Abstract: A method of utilizing sewage sludge compost for mushroom growing and re-utilizing the used compost as livestock feed. During the use of compost for mushroom growing, lignin, cellulose, etc. of slight decomposability contained in the compost are decomposed and aroma suitable for livestock feed is imparted to the compost by the mushroom, thereby making the compost most suitable for livestock feed.

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: The present invention includes an improved nutrient, in particle form, for use in enhancing fungus growth, and particularly directed to edible mushrooms. The nutrient is in the form of conglomerate particles including an irregularly shaped matrix particle and a plurality of enhancer droplets attached to the matrix particle at various recessed attachment positions. The matrix material is denatured protein while the enhancer droplets are fatty oil and phospholipid material microencapsulated in a layer of activated protein mixed with mycelium growth stimulators. The present invention further includes a method for preparing nutrient particles for increasing the growth and yield of mushrooms.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing growth and nutritional enhancement additives for use with mushroom cultivation and products prepared therefrom. The process includes subprocesses for preparing an activator particle containing ingredients which help maximize growth activity in the fungus and a combination particle which includes activator particles and delayed release nutrient material which helps to sustain optimal growth. The particles produced by the process, namely the activator particle, the combination particle and a method for bringing the particles into contact with mushroom mycelia at the optimum time are also included. The invention is intended to maximize efficient, rapid and healthy growth in commercial mushroom strains.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing compost having a high nutrient value from a mixture of moist, at least partially particulate organic matter containing aerobic bacteria. The composter has two parallel shafts (24,26) with radially projecting fingers (38) which, when the shafts are rotated, slowly and gently churn and agitate the mixture in the composting chamber (10) while air is directed therethrough at a predetermined low rate. When the composting action is completed the compost is promptly dried and packaged in moisture impervious containers.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved nutrient, in particle form, for use in enhancing fungus growth, and particularly directed to edible mushrooms. The nutrient is in the form of conglomerate particles including an irregularly shaped matrix particle and a plurality of enhancer droplets attached to the matrix particle at various recessed attachment positions. The matrix material is denatured protein while the enhance droplets are fatty oil and phospholipid material microencapsulated in a layer of activated protein mixed with mycelium growth stimulators. The present invention further includes a method for preparing nutrient particles for increasing the growth and yield of mushrooms.

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: A compost mixture for growing Agaricus birporus mushrooms is placed within a perforated fence surrounding a perforate portion of a floor in an enclosed space, and warm moist air is circulated up and out through the compost throughout the pasteurization process thereby maintaining the pressure in said space above that of the ambient while controlling the temperature and moisture content of the compost throughout a Phase II pasteurization process.

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: 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: 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: 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 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 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: 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.