Establishment of the Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Unit
December 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the official opening of the Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Unit (MLMRU) at Sydney University.
The Unit is currently undergoing a major renovation and has quite a history, occupying as it does a prime piece of real estate right at the edge of the Chancellors Oval at Gadigal Green. But how did our small, experimental unit come to be in such a valuable location? And why does it even exist?
Stuart Whitehall and Umberto Calvo on drip irrigation & supplements
In this MushroomLink podcast, Stuart discusses the strategic use of drip irrigation with AHR’s own mushroom grower Umberto Calvo. Umberto has conducted trials with a similar system at the March Lawson Mushroom Research Unit. With the potential to improve later flushes and even create nutritionally enhanced mushrooms, our panel discuss the mixed challenges and solutions offered by drip irrigation for mushrooms.
Podcast hosted by Dr Jenny Ekman, AHR.
Stuart Whitehall from Nutrigain has been working with mushrooms almost his entire life. Growing up on a family farm, he earned his pocket money selling spent compost from the tender age of 9. Over several decades in the industry he has both witnessed and driven a host of innovations, from spawn production and trading to biological pest control with nematodes. Stuart has now diversified into nutritional supplements, including the delivery of liquid solutions through drip irrigation systems.
Umberto Calvo from AHR graduated in 2018 from the Università di Torino in Italy, and recently came to Australia to explore agricultural sciences in a completely different environment. With experience in Precision Viticulture in Spanish wine regions he is interested in precision and data-driven agriculture, remote sensing and horticulture crops. He is currently involved in a wide variety of projects from post-harvest avocado quality to mushroom growing techniques.
Stronger together: Recap of the 2024 AU + NZ Mushroom Growers Conference
The 45th AMGA Conference in Tāmaki Makaurau Aotearoa/Auckland New Zealand marked the first conference collaboration between the Australian Mushroom Growers Association and the New Zealand Commercial Mushroom Growers Federation. In October, over 150 delegates, representing all parts of the mushroom industry .
Mushroom people development strategy
Like many industries across Australia, the mushroom industry is facing challenges in attracting, developing and retaining labour, including skilled and specialist workers. The industry has also been challenged by significant consolidation in recent years.To address this issue, the mushroom industry’s first People Development Strategy was developed to provide a plan for workforce development in the industry.
KENON MUSHROOMS:Pioneering innovation in Australian exotic mushroom production
Established in 2005, Kenon Mushrooms has grown from a boutique operation into Queensland’s largest Asian mushroom producer.
Shaking up the way oyster mushrooms are produced in Australia, Kenon inoculate 2000-5000 bags per week (available for sale to other exotic growers). With locally made bags, inoculated with Kenon’s own spawn, these are some of Australia’s only truly home grown oyster mushrooms, with a yield of up to 300g oyster per 1kg substrate from the first flush.
Read more about Kenon Mushrooms and their innovations in MushroomLink Issue 10
AI isn’t just for harvesting - a new home grown tech start up
Combining an interest in mycology with 30 years’ experience as a mathematician, grower John Ward was eager to apply his knowledge in the growing rooms of his exotic mushroom farm nestled in Victoria’s high country. John has helped developed AI technology that can monitor mushroom growth stages through image recognition and sensors.
Combining an interest in mycology with 30 years’ experience as a mathematician, grower John Ward was eager to apply his knowledge in the growing rooms of his exotic mushroom farm nestled in Victoria’s high country. John has helped developed AI technology that can monitor mushroom growth stages through image recognition and sensors.
Shortening the Cycle
One of the highlights of the recent ISMS Conference in Las Vegas was the opportunity to meet senior researcher Dr Nancy Pyck, and hear about some of the work they have been conducting at the amazing INAGRO Facility in Belgium. I had a chance to talk to Nancy after her presentation, and discuss the work further.
One of the highlights of the recent ISMS Conference in Las Vegas was the opportunity to meet senior researcher Dr Nancy Pyck, and hear about some of the work they have been conducting at the amazing INAGRO Facility in Belgium. I had a chance to talk to Nancy after her presentation, and discuss the work further.
Managing the Mushroom Biome
As fungi go, Agaricus mushrooms are surprisingly social. Unlike some other species, Agaricus bisporus not only grows better in the presence of other microorganisms, but may actually require them to grow, mature, and form harvestable mushrooms.
As fungi go, Agaricus mushrooms are surprisingly social. Unlike some other species, Agaricus bisporus not only grows better in the presence of other microorganisms, but may actually require them to grow, mature, and form harvestable mushrooms.
Monaghan Mushrooms
Monaghan Mushrooms is one of the largest mushroom-only companies in the world. Started by Ronnie Wilson in the early 1980s, it has grown to a company of more than 3,000 staff, with composting yards and growing facilities in Ireland, the UK and Canada. Like many mushroom businesses, Monaghan Mushrooms is facing the dual challenge of increasing productivity while also improving sustainability. To achieve this, the company invests strongly in Research and Development (R&D), and are heavily invested in the search for an alternative to peat.
Monaghan Mushrooms is one of the largest mushroom-only companies in the world. Started by Ronnie Wilson in the early 1980s, it has grown to a company of more than 3,000 staff, with composting yards and growing facilities in Ireland, the UK and Canada. Like many mushroom businesses, Monaghan Mushrooms is facing the dual challenge of increasing productivity while also improving sustainability. To achieve this, the company invests strongly in Research and Development (R&D), and are heavily invested in the search for an alternative to peat.
What’s new at the Marsh Lawson mushroom research unit
A new trial, managed by AHR in collaboration with Dr Michael Kertesz, has been set up in the unit to examine the benefits of fertigation. The study is an integral part of the Hort Innovation project Optimise nitrogen transformations in mushroom production (MU17004).
A new trial, managed by AHR in collaboration with Dr Michael Kertesz, has been set up in the unit to examine the benefits of fertigation. The study is an integral part of the Hort Innovation project Optimise nitrogen transformations in mushroom production (MU17004).
Giorgi Mushroom Company
Geoff Price may be the son of our own mushroom-growing legend Graham Price, but he has definitely forged his own way in the industry. A mushroom grower since he was eight years old, perhaps it is not
surprising he’s now not only technical director of Giorgi Mushroom Company in Pennsylvania, but also chair of the American Mushroom Institute.
Mushroom farming in Ukraine
Oldest compost yard in Ukraine.
Despite the challenges of war in Ukraine, this world leader in food production is advancing rapidly with increased production capacity, poised to deliver quality mushrooms to export markets.
Inside the Marsh Lawson mushroom research centre
Research and development underpin new technology. For the mushroom industry this is no different. A dedicated research centre is one driver of important developments, as industry seeks ways to adapt
and respond to challenges.
Graham Price and the history of Hawkesbury mushroom industry
Graham Price hand turning compost for his mushroom farm
There wouldn’t be many who have been in the Australian mushroom industry more than a few years who haven’t come across Graham Price. Along with Rob Tolson, and other early trailblazers such as Roy Sanders, Raymon Mas and John Miller, Graham was one of those who helped take the Australian industry from its rudimentary beginnings to the mechanised, highly technical business that it is today.
A complex web of life: bacterial-fungal interactions
In his book Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake imagines the soil as a “horizonless external gut – digestion and salvage everywhere, with flocks of bacteria surfing waves of electrical charge... like the Wild West with all those bandits, brigands, loners, crap shooters… and the seething intimate contact on all sides by fungal hyphae.”
In his book Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake imagines the soil as a “horizonless external gut – digestion and salvage everywhere, with flocks of bacteria surfing waves of electrical charge... like the Wild West with all those bandits, brigands, loners, crap shooters… and the seething intimate contact on all sides by fungal hyphae.”
University of Sydney honours student Shivagami Shamugam has been investigating the status of current research, and opportunities to exploit bacterial interactions, as part of a levy-supported research project with Dr Michael Kertesz. Her review has been accepted (with minor changes) for publication in the Journal of Applied Microbiology – a significant achievement for an honours student. The following attempts to summarise this review
University of Sydney honours student Shivagami Shamugam
Mushrooms in Ireland, and the work of Teagasc
When people think of horticulture in Ireland, they probably think potatoes. However, the largest horticulture sector in Ireland is actually mushrooms. With 40 farms employing more than 3,500 people and a farm gate value over €120 million, mushrooms are a major industry on the Emerald Isle, a country with a population of only 5 million.
When people think of horticulture in Ireland, they probably think potatoes. However, the largest horticulture sector in Ireland is actually mushrooms. With 40 farms employing more than 3,500 people and a farm gate value over €120 million, mushrooms are a major industry on the Emerald Isle, a country with a population of only 5 million.
MU21000 - Digitisation of mushroom industry archive
Key delivery partner: Australian Mushroom Growers Association
Running for six months, this short project digitised the Australian Mushroom Growers’ Association archive of industry research, marketing, and communication outputs. The digitisation provided the Australian mushroom industry with full access to these valuable materials. The archive included industry journals, research reports, books, posters, and recipes.
The materials cover numerous topics including market and consumer research, training and educational materials, pests and diseases and production and crop.
All materials were digitised and made available online through the Australian Mushroom Growers’ Association (AMGA) website at australianmushroomgrowers.com.au. The documents were categorised to allow easy access by Australian mushroom growers, suppliers, researchers, and other industry stakeholders.
The digitization of materials has allowed the Australian mushroom industry to access a wealth of resources that were previously unavailable. In the longer term, this will increase their awareness of results from previous R&D and marketing investments, increasing productivity and quality across the mushroom industry.
The newly digitised resources will be further promoted through the Mushroom Industry Communications Program (MU21003), the Australian Mushrooms Journal, as well as the industry website and e-newsletters.
Project outputs
MU20001 - Mushrooms and their potential health benefits of lowering blood cholesterol
Key research provider: CSIRO
This project is generating scientific evidence on mushrooms and their ability to lower blood cholesterol.
At present, high-level health claims, authorised by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), show that the β-glucan from oats or barley has a direct impact on lowering cholesterol. The same β-glucan molecules in oats are also in mushrooms, however they differ in structure. The project is working to compare whether the β-glucan in mushrooms has the same blood lowering effects as the β-glucan in oats.
Findings from the research will inform whether a health claim on mushrooms and blood cholesterol lowering can be authorised by FSANZ.
MU17004 - Optimising nitrogen transformations in mushroom production
Key Delivery partner: The university of sydney
This project will ultimately help mushroom growers to optimise the rate and timing of nitrogen additions, to achieve maximum yield and nutritional value.
The project team are currently exploring the fate of nitrogen used in mushroom production and composting, including developing a better understanding the microorganisms that are involved in transforming the nitrogen that is added throughout the mushroom production process into other forms. They are also looking at ways and timings to maximise nitrogen use efficiency and promote nitrogen retention for composting, and more. A best practice guide for growers will be produced out of the project findings.
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This project explores the fate of nitrogen in mushroom compost and mushroom production, allowing growers to optimize the rate and timing of nitrogen additions to achieve maximum yield and crop nutritional value. Work in the current project period has focused on the timing of supplements added to compost during cropping, and on the efficacy of microbial inocula added during spawn run in promoting mycelial growth.
Supplementing crops with nitrogen immediately before each flush provided an increased yield of about 7 per cent, with much of this increase occurring in second flush. The nitrogen content of mushroom caps and stipes was found to be significantly enhanced in mushrooms from second and third flush, which contained 7-8 per cent N (dry wt) compared with 4-5 per cent N (dry wt) in first flush mushrooms. Similar results were found on a commercial farm, suggesting that late-flush mushrooms may be described as “high nitrogen” versions of the crop.
Test of mycelial growth promotion with combinations of abundant compost bacteria including Pseudoxanthomonas, Bacillus and Chelatococcus revealed that stimulation of mushroom growth was dependent on co-inoculation with the dominant fungus Mycothermus (formerly Scytalidium). Work is continuing to establish the effect of these treatments on crop yield.
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Since the last project update, work has focused on completing an overall nitrogen balance for mushroom composting and cropping, reviewing alternative nitrogen sources for Australian composters, and designing and testing microbial consortia for compost inoculation.
Detailed measurements taken during Phase 2 of composting showed nitrous oxide production much lower than expected, and ammonia released by the compost largely reabsorbed. Major loss of nitrogen during composting therefore occurs primarily during Phase 1, partly as leachate and partly as ammonia release.
Calculating an industry average for these losses is difficult because of variation in the proportion of recycled leachate used by different composters for straw wetting. Further limitations to nitrogen balance calculations were identified in the overall mass losses experienced by all composters.
Possible alternative nitrogen sources for the Australian mushroom industry were reviewed, focused on agricultural by-products already tested overseas. The need for an up-to-date inventory of the types, quantities, and localities of agricultural and food production by-products was highlighted. Local availability is particularly important in establishing test experiments for these feedstocks.
Ten bacterial taxa were identified as potential consortium for compost inoculation. The dominant genera are Pseudoxanthomonas, Chelatococcus, Chelatovorans, Thermus and Thermobacillus. These will be combined with Mycothermus, the dominant fungus in Phase 2 compost, for stability and functionality testing.
While some impact due to COVID-19 restrictions disrupted research progress, the team continues to work to mitigate any delays.
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Since the last project update, a survey of 10 Australian mushroom composting facilities across four States has been completed. It included a comparison of composting management processes and compost bacterial activity. The results delivered initial insights to inform the selection of compost yards for further nitrogen management analysis.
The survey revealed that an average of 10 per cent of input nitrogen is incorporated into the mushroom crop, and about 20 per cent of the total is lost as leachate or nitrogen-containing gases. Nitrogen losses also occur from the compost and casing during cropping. To better understand this process, two cropping trials have been established in the Marsh-Lawson Mushroom Unit. Analysis has unfortunately been delayed due to Covid-19 impacts.
The team have isolated specific microorganisms from high temperature composts, with the dominant strains identified by DNA sequencing and characterised. Interactions between the two main compost fungi (Mycothermus thermophilus and Agaricus bisporus) and the dominant Phase 2 bacterial taxa (Pseudoxanthomonas spp) have been examined in more detail. Due to the high relevance of these bacterial taxa, their entire genetic sequence has been determined, with analysis of their functional capabilities ongoing.
The compost isolate collection contains 175 isolates of 58 different species. This is now sufficient for the design of potential compost inoculation treatments aimed at optimising the composting process.
The reporting period coincided with Covid-19 related work and travel restrictions, resulting in considerable disruption to research progress. The team will continue to share results with industry as opportunities become available.
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The project team commenced work in January 2019 and have already isolated and characterised a substantial collection of bacterial strains taken from a range of Australian compost yards in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. These samples represent the dominant cultivable bacteria in composts and will underpin the rest of the project.
Many of the most prevalent strains identified were very similar, despite coming from different geographical areas, confirming the conserved biological nature of mushroom composting across Australia.
Analysis of the composts revealed that many of the dominant species have not yet been captured in the strain collection. These are now being targeted using specifically designed growth media and selective conditions.
A detailed survey regarding current nitrogen management by Australian composters was started, with field trips to facilities in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, and visits planned to Queensland. The results of this confidential survey will be used to identify composting yards that represent the diversity of processes in the Australian industry, informing the project’s detailed nitrogen balance studies.
ACT NOW
Read an overview of the project in this article, Optimisation of nitrogen use in mushroom production, published on pages 34-35 in the spring 2019 edition of the Australian Mushrooms Journal.
Project outputs:
Australian Mushrooms Journal, Spring 2019 edition page 30