Mycelium of mushrooms - what is it? Let's deal with this in more detail. Any mycelium consists of thin branching usually white threads - hyphae. The fruiting body itself is also composed of them. In higher fungi, mycelium is multicellular, in lower ones, non-cellular. Actually the fruiting body is able to form only hat-type varieties.
The role of mushrooms in nature
All types of biological life on earth are divided into three large groups: the kingdom of plants, animals and mushrooms. The latter is represented simply by a huge variety of forms and types. Without exception, all mushrooms in nature play the role of a kind of orderlies, taking an active part in the processing of animal and human waste , as well as decomposing all kinds of dead organic matter. Hat representatives of the third biological kingdom are universally used by humans and animals for food. The enzymes obtained from the tissues of some species contribute to the cure of various diseases.
Structure
The fruit body of the cap species is attached to the mycelium with a leg. On one structure they can grow just a huge amount. The fungal mycelium (what we have found out) consists of thin white threads that can occupy huge spaces underground. Unlike plants, mushrooms do not bloom and do not produce fruits or seeds. They usually reproduce through spores formed during the death of the fruiting body. Once in favorable conditions, these tiny “specks of dust” give a new mycelium over time, after which the cycle repeats.
Varieties
Representatives of this biological kingdom are divided into three main groups:
- Hat mushrooms. This is the most common group eaten by humans and animals. There are also poisonous varieties. All cap mushrooms are classified into tubular and lamellar.
- Moldy. They are divided into penicillas and mucor. The structure of the mycelium of the last variety of fungi is unusually interesting. It represents one large, highly branched cell with many nuclei. Penicillin mycelium consists of many cells separated by septa.
- Yeast. Instead of mycelium, this species forms colonies. The body of yeast fungi consists of one cell.
Methods of nutrition and reproduction
Hat species grow mainly on the ground. Mycelium of mushrooms (what it is, you now know) with its entire surface draws nutrients dissolved in water from the earth. Some species also infect tree trunks or their roots. In this case, the substances necessary for growth and development enter the mycelium and the fetal body from their tissues. Lower fungi also often parasitize on plants and even on animals or humans.
These representatives of the biological kingdom can multiply not only by disputes. Quite a common way is also the separation of pieces of mycelium. So the mycelium of the penicillus fungus, cap species, etc. spreads. If you dig a small part of the mycelium and move it to another place, under favorable conditions it will grow very rapidly and quickly. Yeasts, not having mycelia, multiply by budding. Some varieties of fungi are capable of forming a zygote by the fusion of female and male cells.
Human Species
Of course, such a useful representative of the biological kingdom is very often artificially bred. Mostly, hat varieties of mushrooms and penicillas are grown by man. In the first case, the main value is the fruit body, from which you can cook delicious dishes. The most common human-grown species are oyster mushroom and champignon. Sometimes it also breeds other cap mushrooms.
Penicillium (mold) fungus mycelium is grown mainly to obtain enzymes from which antibiotics are subsequently made. Penicillin is used to treat diseases such as peritonitis, endocarditis, osteo-melitis, gonococci, etc. This substance was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming.
We grow oyster mushrooms on our own: preparing material
This variety of mushroom in breeding is the most unpretentious. About how to grow it, and talk further. In order to get a good harvest of oyster mushrooms in your own suburban area, you need to prepare the following:
- Actually the mycelium of the mushrooms. "What it is?" - now for you is not a question. You can buy mycelium in organizations engaged in breeding and sale.
- A few stumps are 35 - 55 cm long and 20 cm in diameter. Do not take material from conifers. The fact is that the resin contained in such wood has a detrimental effect on mycelium. It is better to take hemp from fruit trees - pears, apple trees, etc.
- Humus land with pieces of manure.
- Polyethylene film.
You will also need a hatchet and a hacksaw.
Disembarkation time
Oyster mushrooms are usually planted in May. In this case, the main crop will be available in August or September. Next year, mushrooms will begin to grow on stumps with might and main, and they can be harvested in summer and autumn. However, after three years, the old "beds", most likely, will have to be removed and the planting started again.
Main job
Stumps under oyster mushrooms should be slightly spoiled, but not rotten. Install them in shaded places with high humidity. It is possible at the stream under the trees, if available, at the well, etc.
Preliminarily, short transverse shallow cuts are made on the entire surface of the stumps and on top. Subsequently, they will serve as a kind of "bed" for the mycelium. Further, the stumps are dug into the ground so that a part of 15-30 cm remains at the top.
Then half of the acquired mycelium is laid in the cuts made. One stump of it should account for about 300 grams. Further around each "bed" make small grooves in the ground. The remaining oyster mushroom mycelium is laid in them (the mushrooms will grow here) and covered with moistened soil mixed with humus. She also falls asleep and all the stumps as a whole. At the final stage, they are covered with plastic wrap, thus arranging a small “greenhouse”.
In this state, the stumps are left for three weeks. As soon as the first oyster mushrooms appear on them, the film can be removed. Stumps are watered about once a week.
How to grow champignons?
You already know what constitutes the mycelium of the fungus of this variety — as with all others — the multicellular filamentous structure. To obtain a large number of fruiting bodies, it is necessary to provide him with optimal development conditions. Champignons are bred in cellars and cellars at a temperature of no higher than 15-16 gr. In the room where it is planned to grow champignons, among other things, an effective ventilation system should be arranged. It should also ensure a complete absence of sunlight.
If desired, you can grow champignons and right on the site. In this case, the bed is broken on the north side of the house or under the trees. In this case, good ventilation should be ensured. For breeding in this case, take the mycelium of ridge mushrooms. When grown outdoors, it is important to prevent sediment from entering the ground with mycelium. To do this, the bed is covered with a film.
So, now you know what constitutes a mycelium of the fungus of the genus penicillus, mucor and cap. In different species, it can have a different structure - non-cellular or multicellular. Mycelium grows very quickly and, if desired, you can get an excellent crop of the same oyster mushroom or even mushrooms on the site.