Production Of Edible Mushrooms Research Articles

Effects of Mushroom Residue Application Rates on Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Purple Paddy Soil

China is the leading country for production of edible mushrooms and also outputs numerous mushroom residues. The recycling of mushroom residue can solve environmental pollution problems, provide nutrients for the farmland, and play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing soil carbon sequestration capacity. In order to investigate the effects of mushroom residue amounts on net greenhouse gas emissions in purple paddy soil, potted experiments using static opaque chamber and gas chromatography methods were used to study the changes of greenhouse gases, soil carbon sequestration, and net greenhouse gas emissions (NGHGE) in the paddy soil with five treatments: no fertilizer (CK), conventional fertilization (NPK), 9 t·hm-2 mushroom residue+NPK (LM), 18 t·hm-2 mushroom residue+NPK (MM), and 36 t·hm2 mushroom residue+NPK (HM) from March 2017 to September 2017.The results showed that: ① The greenhouse gas emissions (including CH4, CO2, and N2O) increased with increasing additions of mushroom residue. The emissions of CH4 from highest to lowest followed: HM > MM > LM≈NPK > CK. The HM treatment significantly increased the CH4 emission flux (P<0.01) more than the other treatments and showed an obvious single peak curve, while the CH4 emission flux with the LM treatment showed a bimodal curve, and the MM treatment showed a multiple peak curve. The CO2 emission flux followed: MM > NPK≈LM > HM > CK; and the curves for the LM, MM, and HM treatments were a single peak curve, bimodal curve, and multiple peak curve, respectively. The N2O cumulative emission from the NPK treatment was significantly higher than with the other treatments. The N2O emission flux of the NPK treatment was a bimodal curve and that of the HM treatment was a single peak curve, while the N2O emission flux of treatments LM and MM showed multiple peak curves. ② The carbon sequestration capacity with the LM treatment was lower than that of the other treatments and that from the MM treatment was the highest. The carbon sequestration capacity of the MM treatment increased by 59.2% compared to that of the NPK treatment and increased by 87.79% and 65.65% compared to that of the LM and HM treatments. The LM treatment has the highest carbon sequestration capacity, which was higher than that of the NPK and MM treatments and about 2.1 times greater than the CK treatment and HM treatment. ③ The minimum NGHGE value was -490.29 kg·hm-2 for the whole rice production period, and 18 t·hm-2 mushroom residue applied to the soil was the best way to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in purple paddy soil.

Evaluation of the Mycochemical and Proximate Composition of Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus VAR Florida, (MONT) Singer. and P. pulmonarius (FR) QUEL) Grown on Bark of Gmelina arborea Roxb., Straw of Saccharum officinarum L. and Pods of Delonix regia

Mushrooms are fungal fruit-bodies which have over successive years served as suitable source of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. The fruit-bodies derive their nutrients from varieties of substrates including agro-wastes. This study was conducted to evaluate the potentials of using the pods of Delonix regia, straws of Saccharum officinarum and bark of Gmelina arborea in the production of nutritionally-rich edible oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius. The experiment was carried out in three replicates in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The results of the investigations were analysed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the means were separated using Least Significant Different (LSD) tool. The result of the myco-chemical analysis shows that fruit-bodies of P. ostreatus var florida, produced in Saccharum officinale straw, yielded the higher alkaloids (3.93±0.010g/100g) than those produced in Gmelina+Delonix (3.84±0.025g/100g) and S. officinale+D. regia , (3.77±0.03g/100g). The trend was the same with Flavonoids, tannins, saponins and phenols from S. officinale, G. aborea + D. regia and S. officinale + D. regia, and D. regia. Pleurotus pulmonarius from the substrates contained low concentration of alkaloids but higher concentration of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and phenols. Generally the substrates yielded fruit-bodies that are rich in protein. However those from S. officinale + D. regia appeared richer in protein (28.44±0.03g/100g). The substrates showed encouraging potentials for use in the production of nutritionally-rich edible P. ostreatus and P. pulmonarius, with S. officinale + D. regia standing out as a more likely preferred substrates. There appears to be a synergism between the substrates of S. officinale and D. regia, since the mean of their individual performance is less than their performance when combined.

Agroforestry for high value tree systems in Europe

Most farm-based agroforestry projects focus on the integration of trees on arable or livestock enterprises. This paper focuses on the integration of understorey crops and/or livestock within high value tree systems (e.g., apple orchards, olive groves, chestnut woodlands, and walnut plantations), and describes the components, structure, ecosystem services and economic value of ten case studies of this type of agroforestry across Europe. Although their ecological and socio-economic contexts vary, the systems share some common characteristics. The primary objective of the farmer is likely to remain the value of tree products like apples, olives, oranges, or nuts, or particularly high value timber. However there can still be production, environmental or economic benefits of integrating agricultural crops such as chickpeas and barley, or grazing an understorey grass crop with livestock. Three of the systems focused on the grazing of apple orchards with sheep in the UK and France. The introduction of sheep to apple orchards can minimise the need for mowing and provide an additional source of revenue. Throughout the Mediterranean, there is a need to improve the financial viability of olive groves. The case studies illustrate the possibility of intercropping traditional olive stands with chickpea in Greece, or the intercropping of wild asparagus in high density olive groves in Italy. Another system studied in Greece involves orange trees intercropped with chickpeas. Stands of chestnut trees in North-west Spain can provide feed for pigs when the fruit falls in November, and provide an excellent habitat for the commercial production of edible mushrooms. In Spain, in the production of high quality walnut trees using rotations of up to 50–60 years, there are options to establish a legume-based mixed pasture understorey and to introduce sheep to provide financial and environmental benefits.

Anaerobic digestion of spent mushroom substrate under thermophilic conditions: performance and microbial community analysis.

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is the residue of edible mushroom production occurring in huge amounts. The SMS residue can be digested for biogas production in the mesophilic anaerobic digestion. In the present study, performance of batch thermophilic anaerobic digestion (TAD) of SMS was investigated as well as the interconnected microbial population structure changes. The analyzed batch TAD process lasted for 12days with the cumulative methane yields of 177.69mL/g volatile solid (VS). Hydrolytic activities of soluble sugar, crude protein, and crude fat in SMS were conducted mainly in the initial phase, accompanied by the excessive accumulation of volatile fatty acids and low methane yield. Biogas production increased dramatically from days 4 to 6. The degradation rates of cellulose and hemicellulose were 47.53 and 55.08%, respectively. The high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons revealed that Proteobacteria (56.7%-62.8%) was the dominant phylum in different fermentative stages, which was highly specific compared with other anaerobic processes of lignocellulosic materials reported in the literature. Crenarchaeota was abundant in the archaea. The most dominant genera of archaea were retrieved as Methanothermobacter and Methanobacterium, but the latter decreased sharply with time. This study shows that TAD is a feasible method to handle the waste SMS.

Estimación del rendimiento de orellana mediante modelos Gamlss

En la literatura científica se pueden encontrar estudios sobre la influencia de variables ambientales en la producción de hongos comestibles, sin embargo, todos estos estudios han utilizado modelos estadísticos donde se asume que la variable producción se distribuye en forma normal, supuesto que no siempre se cumple. En este artículo usan los modelos GAMLSS para estudiar la influencia de las variables humedad, temperatura, tiempo de aireación, tipo de sustrato y cantidad de sustrato sobre la producción del hongo orellana. Los modelos GAMLSS permiten que el investigador asuma distribuciones estadísticas para la variable respuesta diferentes a la normal y que se puedan modelar todos los parámetros en función de las covariables. Al aplicar GAMLSS a los datos de orellana se encontró que sólo las variables temperatura, tiempo de aireación y tipo de sustrato tienen una influencia significativa en la producción de orellana. En particular, se encontró que a mayor temperatura y tiempo de aireación la producción de orellana aumenta, adicionalmente, se estimó que la producción de orellana se duplica si la siembra se dá en sustrato de higuerilla molido. Los resultados de este artículo sirven para cuantificar los efectos de las variables ambientales en la producción industrial de orellana y para determinar combinaciones óptimas de los factores que maximicen la producción.

Meteorological conditions and site characteristics driving edible mushroom production in Pinus pinaster forests of Central Spain

Integrating fungal-based ecosystem services into forest management planning and policy-making requires quantitative knowledge of the yields of fungal sporocarps and their environmental drivers. The aim of this study was to predict edible mushroom yield in Pinus pinaster forests of Central Spain, based on a 17-year data series. Two-stage mixed-effects models were used to examine the effect of predictors on mushroom occurrence and yield separately with the aim of providing further insight into the ecological system. Changes in seasonal precipitation represented the main weather-related driver affecting sporocarp emergence and production, since they were both positively influenced by late summer and early autumn precipitation. Soil acidity positively influenced Lactarius yield. Stand age and sandy soils showed a negative influence on mushroom production. The diversity of drivers became more apparent at the fungal species level. The models can be used for predicting the production of edible fungi under different meteorological and site conditions.

Integral Valorization of the Water Hyacinth from the Canals of Xochimilco: Production of Edible Mushrooms and Forage

This work assesses the feasibility of the valorization of water hyacinth, which grows in the canals of Xochimilco, Mexico, through its use as substrate for the cultivation of edible mushrooms and forage. Water hyacinth was processed using different pretreatments, producing four different substrates in which the mushroom was cultivated. The degradation of the substrate was estimated by its weight reduction, the biomass generation was measured, and the biological efficiency was calculated. The possible presence of cadmium and lead was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the fruiting bodies and in substrates (before and after the cultivation of the mushrooms). The potential of the substrate to be used as forage was determined through a proximate analysis. From all the inoculated substrates, the mushroom fructified only in two (humid and sterilized water hyacinth; and humid, pre-composted, and pasteurized water hyacinth with roots). Humid and sterilized water hyacinth was the best treatment, with a biological efficiency of 310.44 % ± 85.27. The weight reduction of this treatment was similar to that of the straw, which was used as a control. For both treatments, there was no presence of Pb and Cd in the fruiting body or in the spent substrate. The results of the proximal analysis showed that the spent substrate has the required characteristics to be used as potential bovine forage. This treatment is a feasible alternative for the management of this complex waste, producing a valuable protein source and feed for cattle.

Anoxia and anaerobic respiration are involved in “spawn-burning” syndrome for edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii grown at high temperatures

“Spawn-burning” syndrome has become one of the most serious problem for edible mushroom cultivation in mushroom bags at high growth temperatures in China. The symptoms of spawn-burning are that the mushroom mycelia ceases growth, dies, and becomes contaminated with mould and bacteria. This article used Pleurotus eryngii as material to study the cause of spawn-burning syndrome. Spawn-burning of P. eryngii occurred at 34°C, which was far lower than maximum growth temperature of 38°C or the lethal temperature of 41°C. Aerobic respiration increased at high growth temperature. At 34°C, there was increased oxygen consumption by aerobic respiration and decreased dissolved oxygen content in the mushroom bags resulting in anoxia. Anaerobic respiration increased with higher anaerobic respiratory enzyme activities for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), increased. The anaerobic respiration metabolites of ethanol, acetaldehyde and lactate accumulated, which have an inhibitory effect on mushroom mycelia growth. In conclusion, inadequate oxygen supply in the bags to the mycelia was correlated to spawn-burning at high growth temperature. On this basis, methods to increase oxygen supply for mushroom bags will need to be developed to control spawn-burning for edible mushroom production.

Compost Grown Agaricus bisporus Lacks the Ability to Degrade and Consume Highly Substituted Xylan Fragments.

The fungus Agaricus bisporus is commercially grown for the production of edible mushrooms. This cultivation occurs on compost, but not all of this substrate is consumed by the fungus. To determine why certain fractions remain unused, carbohydrate degrading enzymes, water-extracted from mushroom-grown compost at different stages of mycelium growth and fruiting body formation, were analyzed for their ability to degrade a range of polysaccharides. Mainly endo-xylanase, endo-glucanase, β-xylosidase and β-glucanase activities were determined in the compost extracts obtained during mushroom growth. Interestingly, arabinofuranosidase activity able to remove arabinosyl residues from doubly substituted xylose residues and α-glucuronidase activity were not detected in the compost enzyme extracts. This correlates with the observed accumulation of arabinosyl and glucuronic acid substituents on the xylan backbone in the compost towards the end of the cultivation. Hence, it was concluded that compost grown A. bisporus lacks the ability to degrade and consume highly substituted xylan fragments.

Enzyme Profiles of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pleurotus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; HK-37 During Mycelia Vegetative Growth and Fruiting on Solid Sisal Waste Fractions Supplemented with Cow Manure

The utilization of agro-industrial residues to cultivate edible mushrooms is of great environmental importance. However, the use of lignocellulose as carbon source depends on the capacity of the mushroom to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes and to secrete them to the extracellular substrate. Thus, the profile of lignocellulolytic enzymes produced during different phases of cultivation of <i>Pleurotus</i> HK-37 on sisal waste fractions supplemented with cow dung manure was determined. Mushroom cultivation was performed in plastic bags using substrates formulated by mixing various proportions of sisal leaf residues and sisal boles and supplementing with cow dung manure on dry weight basis. A total of three hydrolytic (carboxymethyl cellulase, pectinase and xylanase) and two oxidative (laccase and lignin peroxidase) enzymes produced by <i>Pleurotus</i> HK-37 were analyzed. Among these enzymes assayed, laccase was found to be predominant and highly expressed. After 30 days of incubation, its activity was 158.75 ± 7.66 Ug^-1wet spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on 30% supplemented sisal leaf decortication residues: sisal boles (25:75) substrate formulation. The highest lignin peroxidase activity observed was 4.01 ± 1.12 Ug^-1wet SMS during full mycelia colonization on unsupplemented sisal leaf decortication residues: sisal boles (25:75) substrate formulation. Meanwhile, for the hydrolytic enzymes; the highest carboxymethyl cellulase activity (5.45 Ug-1wet SMS) was observed on unsupplemeted sisal leaf decortication residues: sisal boles (75:25) substrate formulation 50 days after of substrate inoculation, that of xylanase (3.73 ± 0.98 Ug^-1wet SMS) was found on 10% supplemented sisal leaf decortication residues: sisal boles (0:100) substrate formulation after 20 days and that of pectinase (8.28 ± 2.14 Ug^-1wet SMS) was observed 20 days after substrate inoculation on 30% supplemented sisal leaf decortication residues: sisal boles (100:0) substrate formulation. The present investigation indicates the utilization of solid sisal wastes as support-substrate for production of both edible mushrooms and extracellular enzymes during solid state fermentation; it also provides an alternative approach and value-addition to these agrowaste residues.

Participatory Goal Programming in Forest Management: An Application Integrating Several Ecosystem Services

In this study, we propose a procedure for integrating several ecosystem services into forest management by using the well-known multi-criteria approach called goal programming. It shows how interactions with various stakeholders are essential in order to choose the goal programming model applied, as well as some of its basic components (variant, targets, preferential weights, etc.). This methodology has been applied to a real forest management case where five criteria have been selected: timber production, wild edible mushroom production, carbon sequestration, net present value of the underlying investment, and a criterion associated with the sustainability of forest management defined by the idea of a normal forest. Given the characteristics of some of these criteria, such as mushroom production, the model has been developed in two scenarios: one deterministic and another with a Monte Carlo analysis. The results show a considerable degree of conflict between the proposed criteria. By applying several goal programming models, different Paretian efficient solutions were obtained. In addition, some results in Monte Carlo analysis for several criteria show notable variations. This fact is especially notable for the mushroom production criterion. Finally, the proposed approach seems attractive and can be directly applied to other forest management situations.

English

In Acatzingo, Puebla, Mexico (east-central), oil spills have mainly affected agricultural fields. Pleurotus ostreatus is a white rot basidiomycete and produces extracellular enzymes (lacasses, manganese peroxidases, versatile peroxidases and veratryl alcohol oxidases). The production of edible mushrooms generates spent mushroom substrate that may have a biotechnological application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mushroom substrate of P. ostreatus in a microcosm for the bioremediation of an agricultural soil contaminated with diesel. We evaluated the participation of microbial populations and specific enzymatic lacasses, manganese peroxidases, versatile peroxidases, veratryl alcohol oxidases activities of mushroom substrate in the biodegradation of a soil contaminated with 11030 ppm of diesel in four treatments: E1, E2, E3 and E4. All the experiments were performed in triplicate at 25 and 37&deg;C for 28 days, with a soil:substrate ratio of 4:1. The treatments incubated at 37&deg;C were quantified for diesel-tolerant bacteria, and treatments incubated at 25&deg;C were quantified for diesel-tolerant fungi. Mushroom substrate participated in the biostimulation (91% organic material, 0.56% total nitrogen and 0.3% phosphorus) and bioaugmentation of the microorganisms of the mirocosm. Bacteria-tolerant populations increased significantly (p = 0.000) in all the treatments. Lacasses (8.62 U g-1) activity was stimulated at 25&deg;C and was the only one related to biodegradation; however, the highest biodegradation rate (72%) was at 37&deg;C (bacterial biodegradation) being promising for future research. &nbsp; Key words: Bioremediation, diesel, laccase, veratryl alcohol oxidase, Pleurotus ostreatus.

Antihyperglycemic Activity of Exopolysaccharide Produced by Mushroom&lt;i&gt; Pleurotus ferulae&lt;/i&gt; with Submerged Liquid Culture on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;Rats

The production of many edible and medicinal mushrooms has been steadily increasing, because of several of their physiological effects. In the present study, we investigated the antihyperglycemic activity of large exopolysaccharide molecules (PSF), which are produced in the fermented broth of ferula mushroom <i>Pleurotus ferulae</i>, on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. All experimental rats were divided into 6 groups consist of 8 rats. The diabetic rats were fed a diet containing PSF for 6 weeks at a dose of 30 mg (PSFL-group), 90 mg (PSFM-group), or 250 mg/kg body weight (PSFH-group) daily, respectively. The fasting blood glucose level of the PSFH-group was the lowest among all 3 PSF-fed groups. Insulin levels increased and HbA1c levels decreased significantly for the three PSF-fed groups in comparison with negative control group during period of breeding. The PSFH-group’s low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were lower than those of other groups. A dose-dependent effect revealed that the exopolysaccharide of <i>P. ferulae</i> might mitigate hyperglycemia at the highest dose of 250 mg/kg body weight.

Study on Survival Strategies of Farmers Engage in Small-Scale Household Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms: Take Shandong Province as an Example

Small-scale household production of edible mushrooms by farmers is the major source of edible mushrooms in China. However, large-scale enterprises who engage in commercial cultivation of edible mushrooms has been growing at a relatively fast pace, bringing about challenges for small-scale farmers. With the purpose of help maintain small-scale farmers’ ability to survive in this fiercely competitive landscape, this paper first analyzes their competitive advantages, disadvantages and survival strategies, employing the methods of field survey and comparative observation. Based on these analyses, suggestions concerning how to strengthen the survivability of small-scale farmers are proposed, focusing on further lowering production cost and optimizing cooperative modes.

Mushroom Pest and Disease Management Using Plant-Derived Products in the Tropics: A Review

Mushrooms cultivated under protected culture or growing wild are infested by insects, mites, nematodes as well as bacteria and fungi. Consumers prefer mushrooms that are not treated with synthetic pesticides. Alternatively, plant-based products in various formulations have been found to be effective through different modes of action against insects and mites; that is, antifeedants, pesticides, growth regulators, repellents, and oviposition deterrents. Inhibition of spore germination and growth retardation in pathogens and arresting penetration of nematodes into stalks and sporophores are other actions. Plant-derived products can be recommended to substitute for synthetic chemicals in the commercial production of edible mushrooms.

English

There is a growing industry of edible mushroom production due to their nutritive value and the recognized fact that mushrooms are natural and healthy foods originating from an environmentally friendly organic farming system. The production of edible mushrooms is threatened by both abiotic and biotic factors, hence the need to improve breeding through genetic tools. In an attempt to determine the morphological and genetic diversity amongPleurotus&nbsp;species, fourteen different strains of&nbsp;Pleurotus ostreatus&nbsp;and&nbsp;Pleurotus floridawild type and their mutants were subjected to different morphological traits, ultrastuctural hyphae network studies and random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) marker. The mycelia growth yield on Petri-plates and in submerged fermentation indicated that the strains PO90 and PF30 were significantly different from the other&nbsp;Pleurotus&nbsp;strains used in this study at P &lt; 0.05. Also, the microscopy result showed marked differences among the&nbsp;Pleurotus&nbsp;strains. The dendrogram based on RAPD analysis generated two different clusters. Out of 4 random primers, distinct polymorphism was observed by primers BG17, BG18, BG 23 and BG25. The percentage similarity among the&nbsp;Pleurotus&nbsp;strains varies between 40-100%. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Pleurotus&nbsp;species, submerged fermentation, scanning electron microscopy, biomass yield, random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR).

Abies religiosa forests harbor the highest species density and sporocarp productivity of wild edible mushrooms among five different vegetation types in a neotropical temperate forest region

More than 300 wild edible mushrooms are consumed in Mexico. They have been reported mainly from temperate forests in the center and southeast of the country. However, these valuable non-timber forest products are under-utilized because a lack of knowledge on their ecology and productivity. The objectives of this work were to compare the richness and fruit body production of wild edible mushrooms in temperate forests with a distinct vegetation composition in Amanalco, to describe species availability, and to test a new sampling approach in a heterogeneous environmental context. We designed a sampling method with random transects rather than traditional fixed sampling sites. Our method permits the acquisition of data from the highest number of environmental conditions. In 2009 and 2010, we collected and counted mushrooms in 248 transects distributed in five vegetation types (Abies, Abies–Pinus, Pinus, Pinus–Quercus and Quercus). We calculated the ecological importance value of each species as a function of its relative abundance and relative spatial frequency and relative temporal frequency. Abies religiosa pure stands and A. religiosa–Pinus forests had the greatest richness of edible fungi (43.1 and 21.3 species ha−1, respectively) and produced most of the fruit bodies (1,160 and 820 ha−1, respectively). The most abundant species in Amanalco region (combining all the vegetation types), Clavulina cinerea, Clitocybe gibba and Russula brevipes, also had the highest ecological importance value (0.2312, 0.1709 and 0.1516, respectively). These temperate forests maintain a considerable diversity of valuable wild edible mushrooms that are heterogeneously distributed according to the type of vegetation.

Adaptabilidad de cepas brasileñas de Agaricus subrufescens Peck a la fructificación sobre diferentes capas de cobertura en cultivo comercial

BackgroundAgaricus subrufescens Peck is a mushroom whose cultivation has aroused great interest worldwide in recent years, and is becoming increasingly popular. A rapid expansion of culture throughout the world is foreseen because of its medicinal and culinary properties. AimsThis work assesses the effect of 5 different casing layers on the production of 3 strains of Agaricus subrufescens. MethodsA growth cycle of Agaricus subrufescens under controlled conditions has been carried out. The main production parameters were evaluated. ResultsThe best results were provided by the ABL 99/30 strain. Peat-based casings have a better yield than those based on mineral soil. The highest yield (6.75kg/m2, biological efficiency 27.57kg/dt) was provided by the combination ABL 99/30-Euroveen. ConclusionsOur results suggest that the combination of the strain ABL 99/30 using a peat-based casing layer (Euroveen) offers a high potential for use on a commercial scale by the edible mushroom production sector. The availability of alternatives to the usually cultivated species can make better use of resources, and increase the profitability of this activity.

Analysis of Edible Mushroom Marketing in Three Villages in Central Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined the marketing of edible mushroom in three villages (Alesi, Ekukunela and Ohon) in Central Cross River State, Nigeria. The marketing of edible mushroom in the state offers job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled rural population at farm gate and offers market employment opportunities for middlemen (wholesalers and retailers), enable talent utilization and stimulation of increase in edible mushroom production. The socio-economic characteristics of sellers, profit margin and marketing efficiency were the main focus. One hundred and twenty respondents were interviewed at three different markets in three selected villages in Central Cross River State, Nigeria, namely: Alesi, Ekukunela and Ochon. These markets were chosen because of the large number of edible mushroom sellers in them. However, the sellers were randomly selected. This study revealed that the marketing of edible mushroom in Central Cross River State was completely dominated by women and children, with monthly profit margin for Alesi, Ekukunela and Ochon markets as N60,000.00, N56,000.00 and N52,000.00 per annual respectively. This suggests that edible mushroom marketing business was lucrative. The concentration of sellers is low while entry is free. The markets are thus prefect competitive markets. The regression analysis, however, revealed that of all the marketing costs, transportation had the most significant impact on the returns of sellers in all the studied markets. It was therefore recommended that farmers should form Mushroom Grower and Marketing Cooperative to enable them obtain loans from banks. Banks should provide loans with low interest rate to both small and large – scales genuine mushroom farmers and marketers (not politicians, motor park boys or civil servant). Furthermore, extension agents should monitor beneficiaries of such loans to ensure that the farmers or marketers do not divert funds to buy motor-cycles, cars or marry more wives and also they should ensure regular repayment of loans by loan beneficiaries. The study also recommended that government should implement action –research type of programs that integrate institutional-technical and socio-economic aspect of mushroom farming and include post harvest and marketing aspects either through cooperatives or export processing zones. Finally, the study recommended that serious attention should be paid to improve the markets to perfect markets for optimal efficiency.KEY WORDS: Edible Mushroom, Nutrition, Improved Health, Marketing Efficiency

Application of electric pulsed power on fruit body production of edible and medicinal mushrooms

Effect of pulsed power was investigated on fruit body formation of 10 edible mushrooms, Lentinula edodes, Glifola frondosa, Pholiota nameko, Flammulina velutipes, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus abalonus, Agrocybe cylindracea and Sparassis crispa. Pulsed power of 100-170 kV was directly charged to the substrate just before fructification. The effect of the pulsed power resulted to promote for 10 edible mushrooms fructification. The treatment especially stimulated the fructification on Pleurotus species.