Research Groups | The Mushroom R&D Department | Exotic Mushrooms

Team

• Ofer Danai
• Dan Levanon
• Segula Masaphy
• Rachel Amir
• Ilan Chet
• Yitzhak Hadar

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot

Abstract

The 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.

Publications:

• Silanikove, N. and Levanon, D. 1987. Interrelationships between acidic and alkalai treatments of  cotton and wheat straw and fiber chemical properties. J. Sci. Food agrid. 38: 117-124.
• Silanikove, N. Danai, O. and Levanon, D. 1988. Composted cotton straw silage as a  Substrate for Pleurotus sp. Cultivation. Biol. Wastes 25:219-226.
• Levanon, D., Danai, O and Masaphy, S. 1988.  Composted and physical parameters. In recycling organic wastes for mushroom production. Biol. Wastes 26:341-348.
• Amir, R., Levanon, D., Hadar, Y. and Chet, I. 1992.  Formation of sclerotia by Morchella esculenta: relationship between composition of media and turgor potential in the mycelium.  Mycol. Res. 96 (11):943-948.
• Levanon, D., Rothshild, N. Danai, O. and Masaphy, S. 1993. Strain selection and Improved cultivation method for shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodus) on straw.  Biores. Technol. 45:9-12.
• Levanon, D. Rothschild, N., Danai, O. and Masaphy, S. 1993. Bulk treatment of substrate for Cultivation of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) on straw. Biores. Technol. 45:63-64.
• Amir, R., Levanon, D., Hadar, Y. and Chet, I. 1993. Morphology and physiology of Morchella esculenta during sclerotial formation. Mycol Res. 97:683-689.
• Belinky, P/A., Masaphy, S., Levanon, D., Hadar, Y. and Dosoretz, C.G. 1994. Effect of medium composition on 1-octen-3-ol formation in submerged culture of Pleurotus pulmonarius.  Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol.  40: 629-633.
• Amir, R., Levanon, D., Hadar, Y. and Chet, I. 1994.  The role of source-sink relationships in translocation during sclerotial formation by Morchella esculenta. Mycol. Res. 98: 1409-1414.
• Amir, R., Levanon, D., Hadar, Y. and Chet, I. 1995.  Factors affecting translocation and Sclerotial formation by Morchella esculenta. Exp. Mycol. 10:61-70.
• Amir, R., Steudle, E., Levanon, D., Hadar, Y. and Chet, I. 1995. Turgor changes in Morchella esculenta during translocation and sclerotial formation. Exp. Mycol. 19: 129-136.
• Danai, O., Olenik, I., Hadar, Y., Chet, I. And Levanon D. 1998.  The role of light in the Morphogenesis of Pleurotus ostreatus. J. Mush. Sci. 2:33-39.
• Goldway, M., Amir, R., Goldberg, D., Hadar, Y. and Levanon, D.2000. Morchella conica Exhibiting long fruiting season. Mycol. Res. 104:1000-1004.
• Danai, O., Olenik, I., Chet, I., Harar, Y. and Levanon, D.2000.  The effect of light on  Catalase activity in Pleurotus morphogenesis. Mush. Sci. XV. 1:95-102.
• Levanon, D. and Danai, O.2000. Environmental aspects of growing mushrooms. in Manual for mushroom cultivation PP259-268 D.J Royse and J.E Sanchez, eds. Esosue-uteha, Mexico.
• 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.