ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS SUSTAINING THE MUSHROOM CROP

CHAPTER X ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS SUSTAINING THE MUSHROOM CROP 

For the home cultivator the onset of cropping is a time of excitement and anticipation. It is also a time for increased attention to the finer details of environmental control. Temperature, humidity. light and airflow in the growing room all play vital roles which together determine the nature of further mushroom development. 

To further increase the flushing speed the actual harvest period in each flush should be kept short and concise. Late developing mushrooms are removed with or on the day after peak production. The sooner the flush is completely removed the quicker the next one will appearand the short- 

During the pin initiation period fresh air is introduced into the room to remove metabolio gases produced by the mushroom mycelium. Although gas production is reduced once this vegetative 

Because many mushrooms are sensitive to carbon dioxide, the physical development of the mushroom can also be used as a guide. High CO2 environments produce long stems and small underdeveloped caps in Agaricus brunnescens and Pleurotus ostreatus. Pleurotus exhibits similar symptoms in conditions of low light intensity. 

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