CA1218320A - Hemlock sawdust supplement for mushroom compost - Google Patents
Hemlock sawdust supplement for mushroom compostInfo
- Publication number
- CA1218320A CA1218320A CA000479234A CA479234A CA1218320A CA 1218320 A CA1218320 A CA 1218320A CA 000479234 A CA000479234 A CA 000479234A CA 479234 A CA479234 A CA 479234A CA 1218320 A CA1218320 A CA 1218320A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mushroom
- sawdust
- compost
- hemlock
- mushroom compost
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
- C05F3/00—Fertilisers from human or animal excrements, e.g. manure
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G18/00—Cultivation of mushrooms
- A01G18/20—Culture media, e.g. compost
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
- Y02A40/20—Fertilizers of biological origin, e.g. guano or fertilizers made from animal corpses
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
- Y02P20/141—Feedstock
- Y02P20/145—Feedstock the feedstock being materials of biological origin
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Mycology (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Mushroom Cultivation (AREA)
- Fertilizers (AREA)
Abstract
MUSHROOM COMPOST
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A novel mushroom compost composition which includes as one of its components hemlock sawdust is disclosed. In one embodiment, the mushroom compost comprises hemlock sawdust and at least one mushroom nutrient.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A novel mushroom compost composition which includes as one of its components hemlock sawdust is disclosed. In one embodiment, the mushroom compost comprises hemlock sawdust and at least one mushroom nutrient.
Description
MUSHROOM COMPOST
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a novel mushroom compost composition. More particularly, this invention is directed to a novel mushroom compost composition which includes as one of its components hemlock sawdust.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The technology of ormulating mushroom compost compositions for use in the commercial production of edib~e mushrooms has been advancing over the years. A
desirable mushroom compost composition is one which increases mushroom yield, does not contain materials or elements which are toxic to or retard the growth of mushrooms, and provides a sterile environment.
It has been learned from experiments conducted over the years that the use of sawdust in a mushroom compost composition is beneficial to the growth and yield of mushrooms. However, the acquired expertise in the mushroom compost art is that the sawdust must be derived from what is commonly known as a hardwood (a deciduous tree).
Alder sawdust obtained from hardwood alders, mixed with chicken manure, has found considerable commercial success as a component in mushroom compost used for growing mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest of ~2~3320 the United States and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Unfortunately, alder sawdust tends to be expensive and relatively scarce. Most of the trees growing in tlle southwest regions of British Col~mbia and the Pacific ~orthwest are of the softwood (conifer) variety, for example, red and yellow cedar, spruce, fir, pine and hemlock. Generally, the softwood or conifer family of trees are known to contain, among other things, water-soluble tropolones, which have been found by experience to be toxic to young roots and mushroom mycelium. Since red and yellow cedar, spruce, fir, pine and hemlock are all softwoods (conifers), it has been generally believed by both mushroom compost formulators, scientists and commercial mushroom growers that sawdust obtained from such species cannot be used in mushroom compost. For example, studies conducted at the Pennsylvania State University have indicated that saw-dust obtained from softwoods such as red or white pine and yellow cedar are toxic to fungi and mushroom growth.
Dr. Lee C. Schisler, Professor, College of Agriculture, The Pennsylvania State University, a renowned authority on mushroom compost technology, is on record as recom-mending to commercial mushroom growers that they avoid the use of chicXen manure containing softwood in a mushroom compost. A paper entitled "Significance of Western Hemlock Phenolic Extractives in Pulping and Lumber", G.M. Barton, Forest Products Journal, 18(5):
~Z~3ZO
7~-80, May 1968, demonstrates that western hemlock contains a great variety of complex phenolic substances.
Phenolic type substances are generally toxic The examination of the cause of an unsightly brown stain developed in stored western hemlock demonstrated that it was not a fungal stain caused by a fungal decay organ-ism.
Because hardwood sawdust is scarce in the southwestern part of British Columbia, utilizing hard-wood sawdust, such as alder sawdust, in a mushroomcompost has been expensive. This cuts down on the profit margins of the commercial mushroom grower.
Commercial mushroom compost formulations usually include a number of components. Horse manure has long been used as a prime ingredient of mushroom compost. The horse population has been steadily declin-ing over the years and hence horse manure is not as readily available now as it once was. In recent years, substitutes, which are frequently referred to as "synthetics", made from straw, hay, corn cobs, or other fibrous materials, combined with organic and inorganic fertilizers, have been successfully used in formulating mushroom compost for commercial mushroom growers.
A typical mushroom compost formulation may comprise straw mixed with horse manure, alder sawdust mixed with chicken manure, brewers' grains and gypsum.
All or part of the foregoing typical formulation can be ~ 2~3Z
replaced by hay, corn cobs, ammonium nitrate, potash, hardwood bark, straw, single cell, woodfines and cotton-seed hulls.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a mushroom com-post comprising hemlock sawdust mixed with at least one mushroom nutrient. The hemlock sawdust may be mixed with chicken manure. The compost may contain other compounds such as a mushroom growth medium, a pH stabi-lizer, a protein source, a nitrogen, phosphate and potassium source, and/or an amino acid source.
The mushroom compost of the invention may comprise (a) straw; (b) straw mixed with horse manure;
(c) hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure; (d) gypsum; (e) brewers grain; (f) single cell; (g) potash;
and (h) cottonseed hulls.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The identities of the toxins present in common softwoods, and the manner in which such toxins retard or stop the growth of mushrooms, is not well understood.
Heretofore, it has been thought that hemlock, like its softwood (conifer) relatives, contained toxins such as tropolones which are toxic to mushroom growth.
We have discovered, unexpectedly, after almost two years of testing that contrary to common belief among both experts in mushroom compost technology and ~Z~83Z~
commercial mushroom growers that one of the species of the softwood (conifer) family can be used as a source of sawdust in a mushroom compost formulation. It has been discovered that unlike the sawdust obtained from typical softwoods (conifers~ such as fir, yellow cedar, red cedar, spruce, pine and the like, sawdust obtained from hemlock does not have mushroom toxic qualities and thus can be used in the formulation of a mushroom compost.
We have also discovered after almost two years of testing that hemlock sawdust mixed with dry chicken manure can form a large and major component of a typical mushroom compost mixture. By dry chicken manure, we mean chicken manure which generally contains less than 18 25 percent by weight water. Discovery that hemlock sawdust can be used in mushroom compost formulations is significant in areas where hemlock is plentiful and cheap. In such areas, hemlock sawdust generally runs in the order of 30 to 50 percent of the cost of sawdust obtained from hardwoods such as alder.
A typical formulation which we have developed is listed below:
Typical Formula Ingredient Amount (Lbs.) HemlocX Sawdust and Chicken Manure 35,550 Straw and Horse Manure 16,800 Straw 44,000 Brewers' Grain 13,200 8~Z~
Cottonseed Hulls 4,200 Single Cell 2,700 Gypsum 2,500 Potash 220 In the above formulation, dry chicken manure re~resents about 30 percent by weight o-E the total hemlock sawdust and chicken manure mixture. A suitable hemlock sawdust-chicken manure mixture can be obtained by distributing approximately 25 tons of hemlock sawdust over the floor of a typical commercial poultry raising barn and leaving it on the floor for seven weeks. By that time approximately 35 tons of hemlock sawdust-chicken manure can be obtained. The proportion of horse manure to straw is about 1 to 2 percent by weight, that is, typical straw-horse manure obtained from the floor of a horse barn.
It is important in this typical formulation that the chicken manure be dry, that is, typically less than 18 to 25 percent by weight water. If the chicken manure is "wet", then ammonia generating bacteria can grow. Excessive concentrations of ammonia are harmful to mushroom growth.
It is also important that the dry chicken manure be distributed evenly throughout the hemlock sawdust. If areas of concentrated chicken manure exist, mushroom growth is prevented or retarded in such areas.
~ 2~320 A number of field trials have been conducted over almost a two year period in order to determine whether hemlock sawdust could be used as a component in a mushroom compost formulation.
Experiment 1 On June 10, 1983, 1 kg. of dried hemlock sawdust was mixed with mushroom compost and mushroom spawn and spread over 2 sq. ft. of a corner of a com-mercial mushroom growing bed. On June 20, 1983, it was noted that the spawn started to grow. The spawn was covered with casing soil on June 24, 19830 The mycelium started to grow on June 29, 1983. Mushroom harvest was commenced on July 16, 1983.
The following yields were obtained:
1st brake -- 1.6 lb/sf 2nd brake -- 1.2 lb/sf 3rd brake -- 0.7 lb/sf 4th brake -- 0.4 lb/sf Total amount: 3.9 lb/sf The 2 sq. ft. bed utilizing a mushroom compost containing hemlock sawdust as detailed above comprised only a minor portion of an overall bed of 1,400 sq. ft.
in the mushroom growing barn. The bulk of the mushroom compost that was used contained alder sawdust mixed with chicken manure. Thus, it was possible in conducting this experiment to compare the small 2 sq. ft. area which utilized hemlock sawdust as part of the mushroom 3L2~8~320 compost with the vast major area which utilized standard alder sawdust in the mushroom compost. If no mushrooms had grown in the 2 sq. ft. area utilizing hemlock sawdust, or it had been observed that mushroom growth had been retarded, then it would be evident that hemlock sawdust possessed mushroom toxic or retardant qualities and hence could not be used as an ingredient in mushroom compost. Apart from the difference between alder saw-dust and hemlocX sawdust, all other ingredients in the mushroom compost in the alder sawdust compost control area and the hemlock sawdust compost area were identi-cal. No discernible difference in mushroom yield in the
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a novel mushroom compost composition. More particularly, this invention is directed to a novel mushroom compost composition which includes as one of its components hemlock sawdust.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The technology of ormulating mushroom compost compositions for use in the commercial production of edib~e mushrooms has been advancing over the years. A
desirable mushroom compost composition is one which increases mushroom yield, does not contain materials or elements which are toxic to or retard the growth of mushrooms, and provides a sterile environment.
It has been learned from experiments conducted over the years that the use of sawdust in a mushroom compost composition is beneficial to the growth and yield of mushrooms. However, the acquired expertise in the mushroom compost art is that the sawdust must be derived from what is commonly known as a hardwood (a deciduous tree).
Alder sawdust obtained from hardwood alders, mixed with chicken manure, has found considerable commercial success as a component in mushroom compost used for growing mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest of ~2~3320 the United States and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Unfortunately, alder sawdust tends to be expensive and relatively scarce. Most of the trees growing in tlle southwest regions of British Col~mbia and the Pacific ~orthwest are of the softwood (conifer) variety, for example, red and yellow cedar, spruce, fir, pine and hemlock. Generally, the softwood or conifer family of trees are known to contain, among other things, water-soluble tropolones, which have been found by experience to be toxic to young roots and mushroom mycelium. Since red and yellow cedar, spruce, fir, pine and hemlock are all softwoods (conifers), it has been generally believed by both mushroom compost formulators, scientists and commercial mushroom growers that sawdust obtained from such species cannot be used in mushroom compost. For example, studies conducted at the Pennsylvania State University have indicated that saw-dust obtained from softwoods such as red or white pine and yellow cedar are toxic to fungi and mushroom growth.
Dr. Lee C. Schisler, Professor, College of Agriculture, The Pennsylvania State University, a renowned authority on mushroom compost technology, is on record as recom-mending to commercial mushroom growers that they avoid the use of chicXen manure containing softwood in a mushroom compost. A paper entitled "Significance of Western Hemlock Phenolic Extractives in Pulping and Lumber", G.M. Barton, Forest Products Journal, 18(5):
~Z~3ZO
7~-80, May 1968, demonstrates that western hemlock contains a great variety of complex phenolic substances.
Phenolic type substances are generally toxic The examination of the cause of an unsightly brown stain developed in stored western hemlock demonstrated that it was not a fungal stain caused by a fungal decay organ-ism.
Because hardwood sawdust is scarce in the southwestern part of British Columbia, utilizing hard-wood sawdust, such as alder sawdust, in a mushroomcompost has been expensive. This cuts down on the profit margins of the commercial mushroom grower.
Commercial mushroom compost formulations usually include a number of components. Horse manure has long been used as a prime ingredient of mushroom compost. The horse population has been steadily declin-ing over the years and hence horse manure is not as readily available now as it once was. In recent years, substitutes, which are frequently referred to as "synthetics", made from straw, hay, corn cobs, or other fibrous materials, combined with organic and inorganic fertilizers, have been successfully used in formulating mushroom compost for commercial mushroom growers.
A typical mushroom compost formulation may comprise straw mixed with horse manure, alder sawdust mixed with chicken manure, brewers' grains and gypsum.
All or part of the foregoing typical formulation can be ~ 2~3Z
replaced by hay, corn cobs, ammonium nitrate, potash, hardwood bark, straw, single cell, woodfines and cotton-seed hulls.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a mushroom com-post comprising hemlock sawdust mixed with at least one mushroom nutrient. The hemlock sawdust may be mixed with chicken manure. The compost may contain other compounds such as a mushroom growth medium, a pH stabi-lizer, a protein source, a nitrogen, phosphate and potassium source, and/or an amino acid source.
The mushroom compost of the invention may comprise (a) straw; (b) straw mixed with horse manure;
(c) hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure; (d) gypsum; (e) brewers grain; (f) single cell; (g) potash;
and (h) cottonseed hulls.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The identities of the toxins present in common softwoods, and the manner in which such toxins retard or stop the growth of mushrooms, is not well understood.
Heretofore, it has been thought that hemlock, like its softwood (conifer) relatives, contained toxins such as tropolones which are toxic to mushroom growth.
We have discovered, unexpectedly, after almost two years of testing that contrary to common belief among both experts in mushroom compost technology and ~Z~83Z~
commercial mushroom growers that one of the species of the softwood (conifer) family can be used as a source of sawdust in a mushroom compost formulation. It has been discovered that unlike the sawdust obtained from typical softwoods (conifers~ such as fir, yellow cedar, red cedar, spruce, pine and the like, sawdust obtained from hemlock does not have mushroom toxic qualities and thus can be used in the formulation of a mushroom compost.
We have also discovered after almost two years of testing that hemlock sawdust mixed with dry chicken manure can form a large and major component of a typical mushroom compost mixture. By dry chicken manure, we mean chicken manure which generally contains less than 18 25 percent by weight water. Discovery that hemlock sawdust can be used in mushroom compost formulations is significant in areas where hemlock is plentiful and cheap. In such areas, hemlock sawdust generally runs in the order of 30 to 50 percent of the cost of sawdust obtained from hardwoods such as alder.
A typical formulation which we have developed is listed below:
Typical Formula Ingredient Amount (Lbs.) HemlocX Sawdust and Chicken Manure 35,550 Straw and Horse Manure 16,800 Straw 44,000 Brewers' Grain 13,200 8~Z~
Cottonseed Hulls 4,200 Single Cell 2,700 Gypsum 2,500 Potash 220 In the above formulation, dry chicken manure re~resents about 30 percent by weight o-E the total hemlock sawdust and chicken manure mixture. A suitable hemlock sawdust-chicken manure mixture can be obtained by distributing approximately 25 tons of hemlock sawdust over the floor of a typical commercial poultry raising barn and leaving it on the floor for seven weeks. By that time approximately 35 tons of hemlock sawdust-chicken manure can be obtained. The proportion of horse manure to straw is about 1 to 2 percent by weight, that is, typical straw-horse manure obtained from the floor of a horse barn.
It is important in this typical formulation that the chicken manure be dry, that is, typically less than 18 to 25 percent by weight water. If the chicken manure is "wet", then ammonia generating bacteria can grow. Excessive concentrations of ammonia are harmful to mushroom growth.
It is also important that the dry chicken manure be distributed evenly throughout the hemlock sawdust. If areas of concentrated chicken manure exist, mushroom growth is prevented or retarded in such areas.
~ 2~320 A number of field trials have been conducted over almost a two year period in order to determine whether hemlock sawdust could be used as a component in a mushroom compost formulation.
Experiment 1 On June 10, 1983, 1 kg. of dried hemlock sawdust was mixed with mushroom compost and mushroom spawn and spread over 2 sq. ft. of a corner of a com-mercial mushroom growing bed. On June 20, 1983, it was noted that the spawn started to grow. The spawn was covered with casing soil on June 24, 19830 The mycelium started to grow on June 29, 1983. Mushroom harvest was commenced on July 16, 1983.
The following yields were obtained:
1st brake -- 1.6 lb/sf 2nd brake -- 1.2 lb/sf 3rd brake -- 0.7 lb/sf 4th brake -- 0.4 lb/sf Total amount: 3.9 lb/sf The 2 sq. ft. bed utilizing a mushroom compost containing hemlock sawdust as detailed above comprised only a minor portion of an overall bed of 1,400 sq. ft.
in the mushroom growing barn. The bulk of the mushroom compost that was used contained alder sawdust mixed with chicken manure. Thus, it was possible in conducting this experiment to compare the small 2 sq. ft. area which utilized hemlock sawdust as part of the mushroom 3L2~8~320 compost with the vast major area which utilized standard alder sawdust in the mushroom compost. If no mushrooms had grown in the 2 sq. ft. area utilizing hemlock sawdust, or it had been observed that mushroom growth had been retarded, then it would be evident that hemlock sawdust possessed mushroom toxic or retardant qualities and hence could not be used as an ingredient in mushroom compost. Apart from the difference between alder saw-dust and hemlocX sawdust, all other ingredients in the mushroom compost in the alder sawdust compost control area and the hemlock sawdust compost area were identi-cal. No discernible difference in mushroom yield in the
2 sq. ft. hemlock sawdust area and the large alder saw-dust area was detected.
E~periment 2 On August 20, 1983, a 2 sq. ft. area of typi-cal mushroom seeded alder sawdust containing compost was covered to a depth of approximately one-half inch with 1 kg. of hemlock sawdusi. On August 27, 1983, it was noted that the spawn had grown up through the hemlock sawdust. On September 14, 1983, a good yield of mush-rooms was harvested. The total yield of harvested mushrooms was 4.1 lb./sf.
The one-half in. thick layer of hemlock sawdust was spread over the alder sawdust containing mushroom compost to determine whether mushrooms could grow through the hemlock sawdust layer. Any mushroom z~
toxic qualities which might be present in the hemlock sawdust would most likely kill or retard the eruption of mushrooms through the hemlock sawdust layer. It was observed that the mycelium mushroom was not visibly affected in any way by the layer of hemlock sawdust.
Experiment 3 On July 6, 1984, hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure was used as a compost supplement and mushroom compost containing this mixture was loaded on the mushroom growing bed of the barn. On July 17, 1984, spawning was noted. On July 31, 1984, casing with top soil was done. On August 24, 1984, harvesting of mush-rooms was commenced.
The following yields were realized:
1st brake -- 2.1 lb/sf.
2nd brake -- 1.4 lb/sf.
3rd brake -- 0.7 lb/sf.
4th brake -- 0.3 lb/sf.
Total yield: 4.5 lb/sf.
In this test, an entire commercial mushroom growing barn was set up using the inventors' mushroom compost formulation which included hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure. It was noted after this experiment was completed that the total yield of mushrooms of 4.5 lbs. per sq. ft. exceeded by 0.6 lbs. per sq. ft. the total yield in the same mushroom barn realized pre-viously utilizing mushroom compost comprising alder ~X~8320 sawdust mixed with chicken manure. It is not known whether this improved yield can be attributed to the hemlock sawdust. Another notable feature was that the cost of the hemlock sawdust was about 35 to 45 percent of the cost of the alder sawdust used as a control in Experiment 1 above.
Experiment 4 Experiment 3 was repeated to confirm that the mushroom corps were not affected by the use of hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure in the mushroom com-post. On September 22, 1984, the compost was loaded on the mushroom bed. On October 4, 1984, it was noted that spawning had commenced. On October 18, 1984, a casing of top soil was laid. On November 11, 1984, mushroom harvesting was begun.
The following yields were obtained:
1st brake -- 1.8 lb/sf.
2nd brake -- 1.4 lb/sf.
3rd brake -- 0.8 lb/sf.
4th brake -- 0.3 lb/sf.
Total yield: 4.3 lb/sf.
In this test, the slightly reduced yield of 4.3 lbs. per sq. ft. was well within experimental range tolerances and confirmed that hemlock sawdust is suit-able for use as a component in mushroom compost.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many ~2~L83~
alterations and modi~ications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
E~periment 2 On August 20, 1983, a 2 sq. ft. area of typi-cal mushroom seeded alder sawdust containing compost was covered to a depth of approximately one-half inch with 1 kg. of hemlock sawdusi. On August 27, 1983, it was noted that the spawn had grown up through the hemlock sawdust. On September 14, 1983, a good yield of mush-rooms was harvested. The total yield of harvested mushrooms was 4.1 lb./sf.
The one-half in. thick layer of hemlock sawdust was spread over the alder sawdust containing mushroom compost to determine whether mushrooms could grow through the hemlock sawdust layer. Any mushroom z~
toxic qualities which might be present in the hemlock sawdust would most likely kill or retard the eruption of mushrooms through the hemlock sawdust layer. It was observed that the mycelium mushroom was not visibly affected in any way by the layer of hemlock sawdust.
Experiment 3 On July 6, 1984, hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure was used as a compost supplement and mushroom compost containing this mixture was loaded on the mushroom growing bed of the barn. On July 17, 1984, spawning was noted. On July 31, 1984, casing with top soil was done. On August 24, 1984, harvesting of mush-rooms was commenced.
The following yields were realized:
1st brake -- 2.1 lb/sf.
2nd brake -- 1.4 lb/sf.
3rd brake -- 0.7 lb/sf.
4th brake -- 0.3 lb/sf.
Total yield: 4.5 lb/sf.
In this test, an entire commercial mushroom growing barn was set up using the inventors' mushroom compost formulation which included hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure. It was noted after this experiment was completed that the total yield of mushrooms of 4.5 lbs. per sq. ft. exceeded by 0.6 lbs. per sq. ft. the total yield in the same mushroom barn realized pre-viously utilizing mushroom compost comprising alder ~X~8320 sawdust mixed with chicken manure. It is not known whether this improved yield can be attributed to the hemlock sawdust. Another notable feature was that the cost of the hemlock sawdust was about 35 to 45 percent of the cost of the alder sawdust used as a control in Experiment 1 above.
Experiment 4 Experiment 3 was repeated to confirm that the mushroom corps were not affected by the use of hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure in the mushroom com-post. On September 22, 1984, the compost was loaded on the mushroom bed. On October 4, 1984, it was noted that spawning had commenced. On October 18, 1984, a casing of top soil was laid. On November 11, 1984, mushroom harvesting was begun.
The following yields were obtained:
1st brake -- 1.8 lb/sf.
2nd brake -- 1.4 lb/sf.
3rd brake -- 0.8 lb/sf.
4th brake -- 0.3 lb/sf.
Total yield: 4.3 lb/sf.
In this test, the slightly reduced yield of 4.3 lbs. per sq. ft. was well within experimental range tolerances and confirmed that hemlock sawdust is suit-able for use as a component in mushroom compost.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many ~2~L83~
alterations and modi~ications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
Claims (9)
1. A mushroom compost comprising hemlock sawdust and at least one mushroom nutrient.
2. A mushroom compost as defined in Claim 1 wherein the hemlock sawdust is mixed with dry chicken manure.
3. A mushroom compost as defined in Claim 2 wherein the dry chicken manure contains less than 25 percent by weight water.
4. A mushroom compost as defined in Claim 3 wherein the dry chicken manure contains less than 18 percent by weight water.
5. A mushroom compost as defined in Claim 1 wherein the compost contains a mushroom growth medium.
6. A mushroom compost as defined in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the compost contains a pH stabilizer.
7. A mushroom compost as defined in Claim 4 or 5 wherein the compost contains a pH stabilizer.
- Page 1 of Claims -
- Page 1 of Claims -
8. A mushroom compost comprising:
(a) straw;
(b) straw mixed with horse manure;
(c) hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure;
(d) gypsum;
(e) brewers grain;
(f) single cell;
(g) potash; and (h) cottonseed hulls.
(a) straw;
(b) straw mixed with horse manure;
(c) hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure;
(d) gypsum;
(e) brewers grain;
(f) single cell;
(g) potash; and (h) cottonseed hulls.
9. A mushroom compost comprising:
(a) 44,000 lbs. straw;
(b) 16,800 lbs. straw mixed with horse manure;
(c) 35,550 lbs. hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure;
(d) 2,500 lbs. gypsum;
(e) 13,200 lbs. brewers grain;
(f) 2 700 lbs. single cell, (g) 220 lbs. potash, and (h) 4,200 lbs. cottonseed hulls.
- Page 2 of Claims -
(a) 44,000 lbs. straw;
(b) 16,800 lbs. straw mixed with horse manure;
(c) 35,550 lbs. hemlock sawdust mixed with chicken manure;
(d) 2,500 lbs. gypsum;
(e) 13,200 lbs. brewers grain;
(f) 2 700 lbs. single cell, (g) 220 lbs. potash, and (h) 4,200 lbs. cottonseed hulls.
- Page 2 of Claims -
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000479234A CA1218320A (en) | 1985-04-16 | 1985-04-16 | Hemlock sawdust supplement for mushroom compost |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000479234A CA1218320A (en) | 1985-04-16 | 1985-04-16 | Hemlock sawdust supplement for mushroom compost |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1218320A true CA1218320A (en) | 1987-02-24 |
Family
ID=4130282
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000479234A Expired CA1218320A (en) | 1985-04-16 | 1985-04-16 | Hemlock sawdust supplement for mushroom compost |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1218320A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1130007A1 (en) * | 2000-03-01 | 2001-09-05 | Gebr. Theeuwen Mestfermenteerbedrijf B.V. | Production of substrate for culturing mushrooms |
| CN102329158A (en) * | 2011-04-14 | 2012-01-25 | 黄鹰 | Organic seedling raising matrix and production method thereof |
-
1985
- 1985-04-16 CA CA000479234A patent/CA1218320A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1130007A1 (en) * | 2000-03-01 | 2001-09-05 | Gebr. Theeuwen Mestfermenteerbedrijf B.V. | Production of substrate for culturing mushrooms |
| CN102329158A (en) * | 2011-04-14 | 2012-01-25 | 黄鹰 | Organic seedling raising matrix and production method thereof |
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