 | Research Groups | The Mushrooms R&D DepartmentThis R & D team is the only one in Israel devoted to applied research in edible fungi. It was founded 23 years ago to support mushroom growers in northern Israel. During this period the annual mushrooms production increased from 150 to 3,500 ton. The team is currently engaged in Mushroom R & D, extension services, training for growers, laboratory services to growers and producers of compost. Research team:- Dr. Ofer Danai - Development & extension, head of implementation | cv
- Prof. Dan Levanon - Scientific advisor | cv
- Dr. Doron Goldberg - Molecular biology.
- Dr. Segula Masaphy - Exotic mushrooms
- Mrs. Nirit Ezov - Chemical and biochemical analysis
- Mr. Uri Dorman - Economic analysis of implementation of projects.
International cooperationScientific cooperation has been established with institutions from a number of countries: U.S.A, U.K, Germany, France, Holland, Italy and Ireland. Joint research projects have been conducted with a number of Third World countries. Prof. Dan Levanon was selected to serve as coordinator for one of the major working groups of the U.N Food and Agriculture Organization’s global network on mushrooms. The network deals with the technology of mushroom cultivation, including all aspects of production and utilization. Main Projects:Optimization of compost productionMethods of compost production have changed markedly in recent years, for two reasons: - Environmental legislation has forced bad odors, flies, contaminated water, etc. to be eliminated from composting facilities:
- There have been technological advances in production, leading to higher efficiency and larger volumes.
Substrate preparation (composting) in the mushroom industry can be divided into three stages: namely phase I, II, III. During recent years, due to the above mentioned reasons, all three stages are conducted in industrial facilities. Quality control methods were developed for the former growing method (Levanon et al., 1983), based on the optimal values for a number of parameters at certain critial stages of production.
The drastic changes in production methods, caused variability in selectivity and quality of the compost, and therefore there is a need for a new quality control system, adapted to the current methods. Team- Ofer Danai
- Nirit Azov
- Dan Levanon
Read More Casing soils for Mushroom cultivation |
An investigation was conducted on the suitability of Cabutz, the solid fraction of digested slurry from methanogenic thermophilic fermentation of cattle manure, as a casing material in the growth of Champignon mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).
The chemical, physical and biological characteristics of Cabutz were compared with those of peat moss, the usual casing material for mushroom cultivation.
The physical characteristics of the two substances are very similar, but they differ in their chemical characteristics. The Cabutz has a higher pH, higher nitrogen and phosphorus content.
The electrical conductivity of the Cabutz is high, indicating a high content of soluble ions, which necessitates leaching with water to bring the conductivity down to the values commonly found in peat moss.
The leached Cabutz contains less harmful moulds than peat moss. No significant differences in yield were found; however, with the leached Cabutz there were higher yields in the first two flushes.
These results encouraged us and we can now recommend a new raw material for mushroom cultivation, with both economical and ecological advantages. Team- Dan Levanon
- Uri Mar-Chaim
- Segula Masaphy
- Ofer Danai
- Yigal. Henis
Read More Exotic MushroomsThe growing demand in the market for fresh mushrooms, is accompanied by interest in new exotic, mushrooms. Our studies include mainly the general Pleurotus, Lentinus and Morchella. Among these the cultivation of Pleurotus was developed to industrial scale. It is based on the “satellite” concept for mushroom production. This concept includes a center for substrate preparation that serves several mushroom growers. The center also provides technical assistance (laboratory services, extension services etc.) to the growers.
On the basis of this concept projects for mushroom production in developing countries were developed (including Brazil, India, Jamaica, Zimbabwe etc.). The applied research is supported by studies of fungal ecology, physiology and molecular biology. Team- Ofer Danai
- Dan Levanon
- Segula Masaphy
- Rachel Amir
- Ilan Chet
- Yitzhak Hadar
Read More Recycling of spent mushroom substrates (SMS)Spent mushroom substrates (SMS) is traditionally been discarded as waste, creating an environmental nuisance. In recent years, mushroom growers all over the world are facing increasing pressure from environmental legislation, giving rise to the need for a more suitable solution for the disposal of SMS. At the same time, there is an increasing demand for organic residues and composts, which could provide several potential outlets for SMS. Agriculture, horticulture, soil reclamation projects, and projects for the purification of contaminated soil, water and air are examples of such outlets. Each demands its own specific properties for the organic product. These properties are defined by chemical, physical and biological parameters. SMS should be treated to suit the specific demand of each outlet. The manipulation of SMS, mainly by recomposting, could produce products with several advantages over other recycled wastes. Such products could be used successfully to solve agronomic or environmental problems, while generating more income for the mushroom growers. TeamRead More Bio-control of Phorid FliesTeam:- Ofer Danai
- Itamar Glazer
- David Ben-Yakir
Partners:- Migal Galilee Technology Center
- Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan
AbstractPhorid flies are harmful pests in mushroom cultivation. They cause direct damage to mushroom yields and indirect damage as a vector of harmful moulds and mites.
Control of the flies were done traditionally by the use of insecticides.
In recent years there are more and more restrictions of the use of these insecticides in the mushroom industries on one hand, and mandatory demand that the mushroom produce will be completely clean of flies on the other hand.
The use of biological control of Phorid flies is studied as a solution to this problem. Nematodes which are parasitic to insects are the potential biocontrol agent.
The objectives of this research are: - Minimization of Phorid damage to mushroom
- Improved mushroom quality.
- Reduction of pesticide use and their hazard to the environment and mushroom consumers.
Cultivation of TrufflesTeam:- Ofer Danai
- Ezra Shabi
- Amnon Bustan
- Varda Zur
- joram luzzate
Partners:- Migal Galilee Technology Center
- Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan
- Ben-Gurion Univeristy, Beer Sheba.
AbstractTruffels are fruit bodies of the mucorhyzae fungus Tubor melanosporum. The fruit bodies develop on tree roots under the soil surface. They are collected in the wild known as a delicate and expensive food additive.
The amounts collected have decreased in recent years due to “over-collection”. Therefore, efforts were made and technology was developed to inoculate tree seedlings with the fungus. The inoculated seedlings are planted in special plantations and the fruit bodies are collected several years later. Such a plantation was planted in the mountainous region of the Northern Galilee during the years 1994-5-7-9.
The research has concentrated on the efforts to enhance fruit body development in this plantation. The objective of this study is to develop means that will ensure massive production of fruit bodies every year. Facilities and ServicesThe department is centered at Migal Research Institute in Kiryat Shmona, where it has chemical, microbiological and molecular biological laboratories, equipped with all the required state of the art equipment. There are also three experimental growing chambers, with computer-linked climate controls, a pilot plant for spawn production, a tunnel for substrate preparation on a semi-commercial scale and a spawning line. The extension unit is located at Meona, in the Western Galilee. It is comprised of an analytical laboratory, a composting plant, three pilot-scale computer-controlled growing chambers, a classroom for training and extension activities and two tunnels for phase II and III composts. Extension services, training and developmentThe group at Migal operates an extension services for: 1) “Compit” a phase I compost producer 2) “Tevapost” a phase II and III compost producer 3) musroom growers in Northern Israel, with routine visits to farms, “trouble-shooting”, consultation, laboratory analysis of substrates and training courses for growers.
Technical advice and analysis are made available to growers who are olso considering expansion, as well as to potential new growers. Economic analysis are made available to growers. Economic analysis include cost and profit estimates tailored to each individual site, recommendations on construction and equipment, supervision in planning and implementation. Technical aid to developing countries. The group at Migal is experienced in designing and developing production methods and farms for the production of Pleurotus (oyster mushroom) and Agaricus (champignon). This technology was developed for potential growers and includes: planning and erecting the farm, a course for growers, technical advice and laboratory services, in Israel and abroad. Recent projects were completed in Brazil, India and Zimbabwe. Teaching Activities:- Short courses for mushroom growers.
- The courses in Tel-Hai Academic College include: Environmental bio-technology introduction to modern agriculture.
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