Greenhouse culture experiments on Kuehneromyces mutabilis

Authors: Issakainen, Jouni & Pihlaja, Kati & Smolander, Jenni
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 57 (2017), Issue 1-2, pages 17-32.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.2017.480
Full text: PDF
Key words: Kuehneromyces mutabilis, Strophariaceae, mushroom cultivation, culture methods, edible, boreal, low-tech, wood decay

Abstract: The edible, wood-decaying mushroom Kuehneromyces mutabilis was studies in 3 years’ culture experiments in a climate-controlled greenhouse. Pre-incubated wood blocks and sawdust cylinders were buried in soil in test buckets. Tested variables included interstrain variation, inoculation methods, wood disinfectation, dimensions of wood blocks and mixtures of soil. K. mutabilis readily colonized various kinds of wood blocks and produced fruiting bodies regularly in unsterile culture conditions. It was found to be a promising species for low-tech culturing assuming further collection of efficient strains and refinement of methods. Sterilized sawdust bricks submerged in soil were most effective for strain testing. Blocks of young trees, including thin branches yielded well, suggesting that the species can be cultured on fractions of wood which have been considered less valuable in traditional forestry. Pasteurization of the wood blocks shortly in boiling water and adding the spawn as potato jelly were found to be useful, low-cost methods of inoculation. Too much acidic peat in the soil mixture was unfavorable for the production but its effects were compensated by adding CaCO3 in the soil.