Research Groups | The Mushroom R&D Department | Casing Soils for Mushroom Cultivation

Team

• Dan Levanon
• Uri Mar-Chaim
• Segula Masaphy
• Ofer Danai
• Yigal. Henis

Migal Galilee Technology Center             

The Hebrew university of Jerusalem, Rehovot.

Abstract

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 busporus).
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.

Publications:

• Levanon, D. Dosoretz, C., Motro, B and Cohen, I 1984. Recylcing agricultural wastes for mushrooms casing. Mush. J. 133: 13-17.
• Levanon., D., Motro, B. Dosoretz, C. and Henis, Y. 1986. Differential utilization of nutrients present in casing layer by Agaricus bisporus. Mush. J. 161:151-169.
• Masaphy, S. Levanon, D. and Tchelet, R and Henis, Y, Y. 1987.  Interactions between Agaricus bisporus (Lang) sing hyphae and  bacteria in casingsoil scanning electron Microscope studies. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 53:1132-1137.
• Levanon, D., Danai, O. and Masaphy, S. 1988. Chemical and physical parameters In recycling organic wastes for mushroom production. Biol. Wastes 26:341-348.
• Levanon, D., Masaphy, S. and henis, Y. 1989. Nutritional supplementation to the Casing soil: ecological aspects and mushroom production. Mushroom Sci.  XII: 417-426.
  Levanon, D. and Danai, O. 1997. Recycling agricultural residuals in Israel.  BioCycle 6:56-57.
• Danai, O. and Levanon D.2000.  Selection of substrates for mushroom cultivation and spawn production. PP203-207 in: Mushroom Genetic resources for food and Agriculture.  J.E Labarere & U.G Menini eds. FAO publication.
• Danai, O. and Levanon, D. 1996. Wet bubble suppression when “cabutz” is used as casing or Prochloraz is applied.   Mush. News. 44(11): 24-27.