Effect of Different Casing Materials on Production and Quality of the Cultivated Mushroom

Abstract

The influence of different casing materials on the production and quality of the cultivated mush- room, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach, is evaluated. The behaviour of sphagnum peat, black peat and compo- sted vine shoots used as structural and water-holding correctors of the casing soil was studied. Two aspects of mushroom quality were considered: the commercial, defined by the division of the mushrooms into different commercial categories, and the physicochemical, defined by the dry matter, protein, total soluble solids and ash content, together with the colour, texture and pH of the harvested mushrooms. The effect of raking on the diffe- rent casing types was also considered. The yield was greater with composted vine shoots and black peat, althou- gh the prospective use of composted vine shoots is limited due to the appearance of spots caused by Trichoderma spp. on part of the fruit bodies. Because of the resulting brightness (L*), colour deviation (AE*), texture, dry matter and soluble solids content, black peat is the best alternative of the tested materials. Casing with composted vine shoots increases the yellow value (b*), pH and ash content of the mushrooms. Raking of the casing improves the yield, although the texture of the mushrooms is worse. Furthermore, this operation supposes a decrease in the soluble solids content and an increase in the pH of mushrooms.