Agrocybe aegerita, also known as Populus edodes, is a rare and highly valued edible mushroom that has recently been successfully cultivated in the wild. It has become a rising star in China's edible fungi industry. Known for its unique aroma, crisp texture, and rich nutritional content, it is packed with protein, anti-cancer polysaccharides, minerals, trace elements, and vitamins, making it both delicious and highly nutritious. In addition to being a food, it also holds medicinal value, offering benefits such as diuretic, anti-diarrheal, and detoxifying effects. Regular consumption can support overall health and may even help in cancer prevention, which has earned it the nickname "Mushroom."
Since its introduction to the market, Agrocybe aegerita has gained popularity among consumers, showing great potential in the edible fungi market. Most of the mushrooms sold in Guangzhou are fresh and imported from other regions, with very few being locally cultivated. In the fall of 2001, using strains provided by the Baiyun District Agricultural Research Institute, an experimental cultivation was initiated in Guangzhou, resulting in satisfactory outcomes. This proved that understanding the biological characteristics of Agrocybe aegerita and adapting cultivation practices according to local climate conditions can lead to successful growth and higher yields in the region.
**Biological Characteristics**
1. **Nutrition**: Agrocybe aegerita is a wood-rotting fungus with a weak ability to break down lignin but a strong capacity to utilize proteins. This means that during artificial cultivation, it requires a nitrogen-rich medium. Materials like cottonseed hulls, broadleaf bagasse, and rice straw can be used, and adding wheat bran, corn meal, rice bran, or soybean meal can significantly boost yield.
2. **Moisture and Humidity**: The ideal moisture level for the mycelium is 65%-68%, while air humidity should be between 60%-80%. During fruiting body formation, air humidity needs to rise to around 95%, with a gradual decrease to 80%-90% as the fruit bodies develop.
3. **Temperature**: Mycelium grows best at 20-27°C, with an optimal range of 23-26°C. For fruiting bodies, the ideal temperature is 16-28°C, with the best range being 20-24°C. A slight temperature fluctuation is beneficial for fruiting body differentiation.
4. **pH Level**: Agrocybe aegerita thrives in slightly acidic conditions (pH 4-6.5), with the most favorable range being 5-6. If the pH is too low or high, mycelium growth slows down.
5. **Oxygen Requirements**: As an aerobic fungus, it requires good ventilation throughout both the mycelium and fruiting stages. Poor ventilation can lead to slow growth, elongated stems, and contamination.
6. **Light Requirements**: While mycelium doesn’t need light, the primordia and fruiting bodies require moderate scattered light (around 200-300 lux) for proper development. Too much light can inhibit growth, while insufficient light leads to pale, elongated mushrooms.
**Cultivation Techniques**
1. **Cultivation Site**: Suitable locations include greenhouses, warehouses, basements, or any well-ventilated, clean space. Separate areas for mycelium growth and fruiting body development can improve efficiency.
2. **Cultivation Season**: Typically, inoculation takes place from mid-August to early October, with harvest occurring from October to April of the following year.
3. **Preparation of Substrate**: A balanced mix of cottonseed hulls, wood chips, bran, and other supplements is essential. The mixture is soaked, fermented, and sterilized before use.
4. **Inoculation**: Sterilized bags are inoculated with mycelium in a controlled environment, usually using 30-40 bags per culture bottle.
5. **Mycelium Growth**: The environment must remain clean, cool, and well-ventilated. Temperature and humidity are closely monitored to ensure healthy growth.
6. **Fruiting Management**: Once the mycelium is fully developed, the bags are moved to the fruiting room. Proper humidity, temperature, and light levels are maintained to stimulate fruiting body formation.
7. **Late Fruiting Care**: After several harvests, the temperature drops, and the growth slows. By reducing watering and allowing the mycelium to go dormant, the life cycle can be extended, enabling additional harvests in the following spring.
Through careful attention to these factors, Agrocybe aegerita can be successfully cultivated in Guangzhou, offering both economic and nutritional benefits.
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