Abstract: The invention discloses a culture method for Antrodia cinnamomea to elevate the amounts and types of the bioactive components in Antrodia cinnamomea through controlling the wavelength and intensity of the light. Furthermore, the modification of the environmental factors such as water content, composition and relative amount of the culture medium, and the culture temperature are capable of increasing the amounts and types of the bioactive components in Antrodia cinnamomea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of myceliation of agricultural substrates for producing functional foods with health benefits, wherein the method comprises of inoculating an agricultural substrate with one or more species of pure fungal culture comprising Basidiomycota and Ascomycota derived from liquid state fermentation, enabling mycelial growth on the agricultural substrate by controlling growth conditions and harvesting of a myceliated agricultural product after the mycelial growth reaches a desired stage. The present invention further provides a myceliated agricultural product enriched with nutrients, processed into a nutraceutical or functional food for human consumption.

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 65%, 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.

Abstract: A peat moss composition having improved water holding capacity, hydrophilicity, and/or anti-leaching properties comprising one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives, is disclosed. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: A production method effectively increases the amount and yield of mushroom beta-glucan, and widely applied in the fields of food, biotechnology, cultivation and medical development. The cultivating medium contains the nutrition of three natural grains, including brown rice, adlay and oat, to provide a complete physiological environment for the mushrooms to grow well. Experimental results strongly suggest that AMFM treated cell activities are significantly enhanced in comparison with those without AMFM treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new antifungal compositions and their use in the method for controlling fungal diseases in mushrooms.

Abstract: For indoor mushroom cultivation, a method of irrigating the mushrooms includes drip irrigation pipes in the bed. The drip irrigation pipes can be disposed in a casing layer that overlies a substrate layer, and irrigation can be according to measurements taken in the environment outside of the bed.

Abstract: A mycological biopolymer product consisting entirely of fungal mycelium is made by inoculating a nutritive substrate with a selected fungus in a sealed environment except for a void space, which space is subsequently filled with a network of undifferentiated fungal mycelium. The environmental conditions for producing the mycological biopolymer product, i.e. a high carbon dioxide (CO2) content (from 5% to 7% by volume) and an elevated temperature (from 85° F. to 95° F.), prevent full differentiation of the fungus into a mushroom. There are no stipe, cap, or spores produced. The biopolymer product grows into the void space of the tool, filling the space with an undifferentiated mycelium chitin-polymer, which is subsequently extracted from the substrate and dried.

Abstract: Provided is a mushroom bed cultivation bag where a bag main body can be surely torn regardless of nonuniformity of a thickness of a filter, a material, and the like. A mushroom bed cultivation bag includes a vertically long bag main body which has an opened upper end and is formed of a plastic film formed by aligning molecules so that tensile strength of a vertical direction is higher than tensile strength of a horizontal direction, and a rupture handle fused with the bag main body at a position that is different from a position of the bag main body, and rupturing the bag main body to tear the bag main body. A fuse portion fusing the rupture handle with the bag main body is formed in a mountain-shape where a tear-initiation side (opening side of an upper end of the bag main body) faces upward.

Abstract: The aim of this invention is the development of an essentially new method for production of a casing layer (casing) intended for cultivation of mushrooms/plants and the use of appropriate equipment for this purpose. The invention allows the abandonment of raw materials with desired structure and enables making of preferred structure by using locally available low-quality raw materials, which is particularly relevant for countries having no raw materials suitable for the production of mushroom casing. The essence of this method is that a raw paste of ingredients is subjected to mechanical action and in the course of this action extra fibres are gradually added to the paste, fibres which quickly enter the inside of the paste and carry out the function of binding of the material being mixed (primary conglutination). Under continued mechanical action and by adding the rest of the said fibres, agglomeration of formed crumbles occurs (secondary conglutination).

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a plastic and/or paper waste material having steps including collecting a plastic and/or paper waste material, preferably paper, and highly preferably a release coated cellulose or polymeric sheet material. The material already includes a selected new-use additive preferably selected from flame retardant, hydrophobic material, pesticide, herbicides, minerals, nutrients, and/or mixtures thereof. The method includes the step of preparing the collected material by mixing, separating foreign bodies like metals, etc., and feeding it to a grinding station. The method also includes the step of, in one or several grinding stations, shredding and grinding the materials into small pieces.

Abstract: Methods are described for producing reduced, methylated, biologically active forms of folate, including 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (i.e. 5-methyltetrahydropteroylglutamic acid), 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate and tetrahydrofolate. Edible mushroom-producing fungi are cultivated to enhance the uptake of pteroylmonoglutamate (synthetic folate) into edible portions of the plants. The mushroom-producing fungi reduce and methylate the pteroylmonoglutamates into activated folates. The cultivated mycelia or mushrooms of the mushroom-producing fungi are harvested, and may be consumed directly or processed into oral dosage formats (capsules, tablets, softgels, powders, gel packets, liquids, nutritional bars, beverages) for use as functional foods or nutritional supplements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mushroom production process comprising the steps of preparing a mushroom growing shed with at least one bed of mushroom compost; supplying heat to the mushroom growing shed; harvesting the mushrooms; and removing the spent mushroom compost from the mushroom growing shed; wherein the process further comprises the steps of combusting the spent mushroom compost in an energy conversion system; harnessing the heat generated by combusting the spent mushroom compost; and using the harnessed heat to control temperature of the mushroom growing shed. In this way, the energy costs for the mushroom production are greatly reduced.

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 aim of the invention is to create a fundamentally new method of the substrate production, which would include the following: the processing of the parent materials, containing lignocellulose (for example, straw), by applying the methods of the primary processing (for example, steam explosion) in order to decompose the said parent material into the lower-level components; possible removal of the carbohydrates of the group C5 from the processed mass of lignocellulose; extrusion, pasteurization and sterilization of the initial substrate; adding of the components to the wetted initial substrate, its enrichment of materials necessary the growth of the mycelium and mushrooms; undersowing of the mycelium and its stirring in the volume of the prepared substrate.

Abstract: A solid medium of Antrodia cinnamomea comprises 20 to 50 wt % soybean; 30 to 50 wt % coixseed; and 20 to 50 wt % sorghum. A culturing method of Antrodia cinnamomea, comprises providing a solid medium comprising soybean, coixseed and sorghum; preparing a solution of Antrodia cinnamomea, inoculating the solution of Antrodia cinnamomea on the solid medium in a concentration of 1×103 to 1×106 cfu on per 100 g of solid medium, and statically culturing the solution of Antrodia cinnamomea on the solid medium till obtaining hyphae adhered on the solid medium; and culturing the solution of Antrodia cinnamomea by intermittent shaking in a frequency of every 5 to 7 days shaking 5 to 10 minutes, with a period of the culturing by intermittent shaking being more than 40 days.

Abstract: A mushroom culture of Agaricus bisporus produced by hybridization of a first strain and a second strain of Agaricus bisporus, wherein at least one of said first and second strains of Agaricus is a hybrid mushroom culture of Agaricus bisporus designated strain J9277. Diverse additional strains can be developed from J9277 by various means including somatic and tissue culture selection, basidiospore selection, and hybridization to other strains of Agaricus bisporus, and the resulting derivative strains can be screened for desirable commercial characteristics. One resultant class of the mushroom Agaricus bisporus (J. Lange) Imbach is the hybrid strain J10165. It exhibits an attractive appearance that includes a smooth, bright white cap, and is biologically incompatible with strains of the ‘U1’ lineage group. A method for improving facility hygiene and reducing disease incidence at any commercial Agaricus bisporus mushroom production facility is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a harvesting device for facilitating harvesting of crops growing on a substrate or soil, the device comprising:—a harvesting conveyer comprising crop receiving members suitable for simple manual placing of the crops therein, wherein the conveyor is adapted to discharge the crops from a location within reach of the harvesting location,—transport means for transporting the harvesting conveyer relative to the substrate or the soil, wherein—the harvesting device is suitable for simultaneously harvesting from at least two seed-beds.

Abstract: A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.

Abstract: A growth medium formed as an inoculum including a preselected fungus and a nutrient material capable of being digested by the fungus is placed in or on a tool formed of a material capable of being at least partially consumed by the fungus. The tool may define a cavity of predetermined shape for the growth medium or the tool may form a scaffolding on which the growth medium grows into the final product taking on the shape of the tool.

Abstract: A culture method of a fruiting body of Antrodia camphorata is provided, which includes: (a) fermenting a culture medium containing yeast at 5-35° C. for 3-30 days; (b) adding wood flour to the fermented culture medium with stirring; (c) placing the wood flour and the culture medium into a vessel; (d) sterilizing the vessel containing the wood flour and the culture medium; (e) inoculating Antrodia camphorata strains into the sterilized vessel containing the wood flour and the culture medium, and culturing at 5-35° C., to form mycelia; (f) inoculating the wood flour containing Antrodia camphorata mycelia into a wood segment; (g) placing the wood segment inoculated with Antrodia camphorata mycelia in an environment where the temperature is 5-35° C. and the humidity is 65-85%, and culturing for a period of time; and (h) removing the wood flour remained on the wood segment, then placing the wood segment in an environment where the temperature is 15-35° C.

Abstract: The aim of this invention is a new method of growing champignons and other cultivated mushrooms, comprising of the usage of the shelving system and aeration equipment in order to effectively and equally aerate the compost/substratum and qualitatively/precisely control the temperature on the shelves and their parts. The method of usage of the aeration and management equipment/system integrated into the shelf ensures especially even oxygen supply for the nutrient medium, present on the shelf; very qualitative/precise temperature control not only on the shelf, but also locally in any part of the shelf; extremely high homogeneity control of the nutrient medium; considerably lower electric power consumption during the preparation of the nutrient medium; termination of the anaerobic processes to the minimum in the nutrient material; ?10-30% shorter overall cycle of the champignon growing; ?10-30% bigger yield collected from the same area; a considerable decrease in the prime cost of the champignons growing.

Abstract: A fungus cultivation device includes at least one accommodating structure and a light-emitting diode module. The accommodating structure is disposed with a main body having an opening. The main body is internally disposed with an accommodating space for accommodating fungi strains and a light-permeable cover for covering the opening so as to seal the accommodating space. A plurality of light-emitting diodes of the light-emitting diode module irradiate the accommodating structure to supply a light source for the fungus inside the accommodating structure, thereby facilitating fungus growth.

Abstract: Methods of producing hybrid Agaricus bisporus mushrooms strains derived or descended from at least one wild mushroom strain and having the specified traits of either greatly diminished sporulation or an absence of sporulation, and of obtaining postmeiotic offspring of nonsporlating basidiomycete fungi including Agaricus bisporus, are disclosed.

Abstract: A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.

Abstract: A system for applying mushroom growing materials includes a hopper for the materials. A blower unit creates an air stream which acts as a carrier for blowing the material fed by the hopper through a transport hose wrapped partially around a reel. The hose communicates with and feeds the material to an applicating head which is mounted on a mushroom bed. The material is conveyed through the applicating head by being spread in a transverse direction by a distributor. The material is then fed to an applicating member which is preferably a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt deposits the material onto the mushroom bed.

Abstract: A recipient for containing moist substrate, which recipient includes a flexible polymer wall having an outer surface and at least one gas exchanging membrane, which gas exchanging membrane is hermetically sealed to the outer surface of the flexible polymer wall along a sealing line. The sealing line defining a hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The flexible polymer wall includes at least one aperture, being provided in this hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The recipient further includes a mechanism for creating an air chamber circumscribed by the hermetically sealed area and the gas exchanging membrane, for preventing moist substrate to contact the gas exchanging membrane when the recipient is filled with moist substrate.

Abstract: A rack for a compost bed (13) includes a rack bottom (1), a carrier (11) which is supported with respect to the rack bottom for the compost bed and a liquid device (10) provided with a liquid supply (20) and a liquid discharge (21) via which a liquid can be passed in order to heat and/or cool the compost bed on the carrier. The liquid device (10) includes at least one flat plate (14), one side of which faces the carrier (11) and the other side of which is directly connected to a liquid-carrying duct and/or which other side delimits a liquid-carrying duct (17), which liquid-carrying duct is connected to the liquid supply (20) and the liquid discharge (21). By element of such a plate-shaped liquid device, the compost bed can be heated or cooled evenly. In addition, aeration pipes (7) are provided for aerating the compost bed.

Abstract: An assembly (16) to grow mushrooms. The assembly (16) includes a base (17) that supports a plurality of trays (27) that circulate about a generally central longitudinal axis. Each tray (17) has ducts (33) through which a fluid passes to heat and/or cool each tray (27).

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate from a mixture of ground aggregate and a fluid. A fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate are injected into a first mold cavity. The first mold cavity is sealed against a second mold cavity. Live mycelium is grown from the fungal inoculum to fill the first and second mold cavities. The live mycelium is cured to terminate further growth and develop a formed substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including adding a fungal inoculum with a liquid aggregate to form a mixture. The mixture is inserted into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is covered with a cover. Live mycelium is grown from the mixture that fills the mold cavity and physically couples with the cover. The live mycelium is heated to terminate further growth and develop a composite component made of mycelium and the cover.

Abstract: A method for mushroom cultivation is developed which requires no manual picking and a limited packaging step. The invention also induces lesser chances of contamination and provides longer shelf life to the mushrooms. The device used for production of mushrooms comprises two parts, one basal plate perforated with holes for the mushroom pins to emerge into the container. The apertures/holes on the base of the container may be covered with casing material. The other portion is the top part functioning as a cover which could be used to secure the container in order to prevent contamination from out side, maintain the moisture level and also maintains the micro environment for growing mushrooms. The top cover is preferably also perforated for the escape of excessive moisture. When mushrooms are ready to pick, the whole container is removed and preserved at a lower temperature, such as 4° C. in a cooler or refrigerator.

Abstract: A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.

Abstract: A novel hybrid fungus culture, designated J9277, of the mushroom species Agaricus bisporus produces crops of mushrooms having white, rounded, thick-fleshed caps and proportionally long stems in a relatively short interval of time. Diverse additional strains can be developed from J9277 by various means including somatic and tissue culture selection, basidiospore selection, and hybridization to other strains of Agaricus bisporus, and the resulting derivative strains can be screened for desirable commercial characteristics.

Abstract: A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fungus or a mushroom and to a method of producing it wherein the fungus/mushroom has an increased expression level of a polypeptide and/or has a decreased expression level of a polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 40% amino acid identity or similarity with a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:1-200 and/or that has at least 50% amino acid identity or similarity with a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:201-208.

Abstract: A method for incubating fruiting bodies of Antrodia cinnamomea is disclosed. The method comprises steps of: (a) obtaining a hymenium slice from a fruiting body of Antrodia cinnamomea; (b) transferring the hymenium slice to a selective culture medium for incubation to obtain an isolated strain; (c) transferring the isolated strain to a bagasse culture medium for incubation; (d) subjecting proliferation by liquid culture or solid culture to obtain large-scale liquid spawn or solid spawn; (e) inoculating a wood segment with the liquid spawn or the solid spawn and subjecting incubation; and (f) re-inoculating the wood segment with mixed single-spore colonies of Antrodia cinnamomea and subjecting incubation until fruiting bodies are produced.

Abstract: A novel hybrid fungus culture, designated J9277, of the mushroom species Agaricus bisporus produces crops of mushrooms having white, rounded, thick-fleshed caps and proportionally long stems in a relatively short interval of time. Diverse additional strains can be developed from J9277 by various means including somatic and tissue culture selection, basidiospore selection, and hybridization to other strains of Agaricus bisporus, and the resulting derivative strains can be screened for desirable commercial characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mushroom production process comprising the steps of preparing a mushroom growing shed with at least one bed of mushroom compost; supplying heat to the mushroom growing shed; harvesting the mushrooms; and removing the spent mushroom compost from the mushroom growing shed; wherein the process further comprises the steps of combusting the spent mushroom compost in an energy conversion system; harnessing the heat generated by combusting the spent mushroom compost; and using the harnessed heat to control temperature of the mushroom growing shed. In this way, the energy costs for the mushroom production are greatly reduced.

Abstract: A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.

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

Abstract: The mushroom growing process includes various stages, such as phase I where compost is initiated and phase II where the process of conversion is started. These various stages include pasteurization and casing. In some processes there may be cacing which is another form of mycelium being added into the casing layer. The process of the present invention includes introducing an additive into the compost at one or more stages of the growing process. Such additive contains humic acid.

Abstract: The method of growing a fungal fruiting body requires exposing a mycelium of a desired organism type to environmental conditions sufficient to induce fruiting of fungal primordium in the organism type followed by enclosing the fungal primordium within a mold of a designated shape representing a near net shape volume of a desired final product. The fungal primordium is allowed to grow and fill the mold to form a mass of fungal tissue equivalent in shape to the designated shape of the mold after which the mass of fungal tissue is removed from the mold and dried.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recipient for containing moist substrate, which recipient comprises a flexible polymer wall having an outer surface and at least one gas exchanging membrane, which gas exchanging membrane is hermetically sealed to the outer surface of the flexible polymer wall along a sealing line. The sealing line defining a hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The flexible polymer wall comprises at least one aperture, being provided in this hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The recipient further comprises a means for creating an air chamber circumscribed by the hermetically sealed area and the gas exchanging membrane, for preventing moist substrate to contact the gas exchange membrane when the recipient is filled with moist substrate.

Abstract: Problem: To provide a method for fungal bed cultivation of a mushroom of a large size having an excellent shape and crunchy texture, a mushroom cutting useful for the fungal bed cultivation method, a culture medium for fungal bed cultivation into which the cutting is transplanted, and a culture medium suitable for fungal bed cultivation. Solution: A method for cultivating a mushroom in a fungal bed comprising a step of transplanting an isolated cutting of the mushroom into a culture medium for fungal bed cultivation, an isolated cutting of a mushroom to be used in the method, and a culture medium for fungal bed cultivation of a mushroom into which the cutting is transplanted.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a fungal bed cultivation method of a hon-shimeji mushroom, wherein induction of primordia of a fruit body is conducted by illumination under incubation conditions, and an ongoing culture for fungal bed cultivation of a hon-shimeji mushroom, wherein primordia of a fruit body have been formed thereon during incubation. The culture medium is maintained in a clean state and it is advantageous because the formation of primordia of a fruit body can be carried out in a clean environment and the culture medium wherein primordia of a fruit body have been formed can be transferred to distant mushroom cultivation facilities under clean conditions as such.

Abstract: A method of composting “green waste” to provide growth media, particularly for growing fungi of enhanced flavour and shelf life, is described. The growth medium comprises a graded mulch of “green waste” comprised essentially of grass and hedge cuttings, however, wood chippings, bark, leaves and vegetable and fruit materials may also be used, together with a density modifier, such as straw, and a nitrogen additive. The growth medium is regulated to enhance growth and availability of water and nutrients during the growth of spawn into harvestable fungi. The growth medium may be adapted for use as a mushroom spawn carrier and as casing material. Additionally, a compost material suitable for domestic and more general horticultural use is provided. A soil cleanser and/or improver is also provided.

Abstract: Ozone is applied to the interior of a mushroom house through use of an ozone generator which preferably communicates with an air conditioner so that the ozone flows from the ozone generator through the air conditioner and into the mushroom house. The ozone is applied during various stages of a mushroom growing process.

Abstract: The vitamin D content of a mushroom can be increased by exposing the mushroom to a lamp that emits UVA and UVB, but not UVC radiation. The need for ozone ventilation is eliminated by utilizing a lamp that does not emit the shorter UVC wavelengths.