Two alternative systems for Agaricus bisporus mushroom production on grain-based substrates

Two systems for Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom) production are proposed as alternatives to the traditional environmentally problematic mushroom production system that relies on composting of plant and animal organic matter. Each system involves the use of cereal grains and lesser ingredients as a mushroom substrate. The first system, the "Satellite Mushroom Production System", proposes the use of commercial grain spawn, the vehicle typically used to inoculate composted substrates, supplemented with high protein delayed-release supplements as a non-composted mushroom substrate. In this system, grain spawn manufacturers supply mushroom producers the bulk of the substrate. The second system consists of producing mushrooms on sterilized grains supplemented with oilseeds and lesser ingredients. In this system, an aseptic processing system would be located on-site at the mushroom production facility to convert the raw materials into a grain-based substrate. For the second system, mushroom producers would need purchase their inoculum from grain spawn producers to inoculate the sterilized substrates. In our work, the highest yield of mushrooms for the commercial grain spawn substrate supplemented with delayed-release supplements was 14.28 kg/m ², whereas yield from substrates composed of cereal grains and oilseeds was 21.7 kg/m ². A discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative mushroom production system will be addressed.