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History of Mushroom Cultivation
Thousand-year-old tradition
While mushroom cultivation in Europe (except for the button mushroom) is still relatively young, records from Japan and China indicate that attempts to cultivate Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Wood Ear mushrooms (Auricularia) on logs date back nearly 2,000 years.
The first concrete instructions on how to cultivate mushrooms were published in 1245 by the Chinese scholar Chen Yen-Yu. In his work, he described the development, morphology, seasonal influences, cultivation, harvesting, and preparation methods for 15 different types of mushrooms.
The first evidence of large-scale mushroom cultivation dates back to 1313. The Chinese monk Wang Zeng provided detailed descriptions of how he cultivated Shiitake mushrooms on wooden logs. Another monk, Wu San Kwung, was honoured with a temple for his discovery that logs bearing mushrooms should be struck after the first harvest. The vibrations encouraged the mushrooms to fruit again.
Another mushroom that has been cultivated in Asia for hundreds of years is the Paddy Straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). For its cultivation, large piles of rice straw were stacked and left to ferment. Naturally occurring spores settled within, allowing mushrooms to grow and be harvested.
From ancient Rome, the first European cultivation attempts are known, showing that some knowledge of mushroom growth conditions existed, though they were unsuccessful. Logs already colonised by the mycelium of the Pioppino mushroom (Agrocybe aegerita) were covered with soil to retain moisture in the wood.
The first concrete instructions on how to cultivate mushrooms were published in 1245 by the Chinese scholar Chen Yen-Yu. In his work, he described the development, morphology, seasonal influences, cultivation, harvesting, and preparation methods for 15 different types of mushrooms.
The first evidence of large-scale mushroom cultivation dates back to 1313. The Chinese monk Wang Zeng provided detailed descriptions of how he cultivated Shiitake mushrooms on wooden logs. Another monk, Wu San Kwung, was honoured with a temple for his discovery that logs bearing mushrooms should be struck after the first harvest. The vibrations encouraged the mushrooms to fruit again.
Another mushroom that has been cultivated in Asia for hundreds of years is the Paddy Straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). For its cultivation, large piles of rice straw were stacked and left to ferment. Naturally occurring spores settled within, allowing mushrooms to grow and be harvested.
From ancient Rome, the first European cultivation attempts are known, showing that some knowledge of mushroom growth conditions existed, though they were unsuccessful. Logs already colonised by the mycelium of the Pioppino mushroom (Agrocybe aegerita) were covered with soil to retain moisture in the wood.
Mushroom cultivation in Europe
The first successful mushroom cultivation attempts in Europe date back to 1707, with the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) in France. Here, composted horse manure, which had already been naturally colonised by airborne spores, was mixed with additional composted horse manure to encourage further mushroom growth. The methods described by Tournefort broadly resemble the techniques still used in Europe today for cultivating button mushrooms. Initially, mushrooms were grown in the open air, but in 1810, the French gardener Chambry pioneered the use of underground tunnels for cultivation. The stable underground temperature allowed for year-round mushroom production. Further advancements were made by the British grower Callow, who cultivated mushrooms in heated rooms.
The next major developments came at the end of the 19th century. In France, methods for simplifying the production of mushroom spawn were developed, while the American scientist Duggar discovered how to clone mushroom strains using tissue culture. Meanwhile, in Japan, scientists devised techniques to inoculate logs with Shiitake mycelium.
A little later, the first oyster mushrooms were cultivated in Germany. During the First World War, these mushrooms were grown on logs as a substitute for meat, which was scarce during wartime.
The production of button mushrooms in Europe experienced a significant boom after the Second World War, as mushroom spawn suddenly became relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain in various countries.
Today, large-scale mushroom farms exist in Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India), Europe, Russia, North and South America (USA, Canada, Brazil), and Australia.
The next major developments came at the end of the 19th century. In France, methods for simplifying the production of mushroom spawn were developed, while the American scientist Duggar discovered how to clone mushroom strains using tissue culture. Meanwhile, in Japan, scientists devised techniques to inoculate logs with Shiitake mycelium.
A little later, the first oyster mushrooms were cultivated in Germany. During the First World War, these mushrooms were grown on logs as a substitute for meat, which was scarce during wartime.
The production of button mushrooms in Europe experienced a significant boom after the Second World War, as mushroom spawn suddenly became relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain in various countries.
Today, large-scale mushroom farms exist in Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India), Europe, Russia, North and South America (USA, Canada, Brazil), and Australia.
Sources:
– Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms
– Diego Cunha Zied & Arturo Prado
– Gimenez (2017)
– Mushroom Cultivation IV
– Peter Oei (2018)
– Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms
– Paul Stamets (2000)
– Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms
– Diego Cunha Zied & Arturo Prado
– Gimenez (2017)
– Mushroom Cultivation IV
– Peter Oei (2018)
– Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms
– Paul Stamets (2000)
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