The cradle of Chinese mushroom growing

From 21st to 31st October a group of growers journeyed to China. The trip was organised by C point and Eco consult in close cooperation with the FujianAgriculturalUniversity in Fuzhou. The sheer size of the country and its mushroom industry, and the creative ways in which an astonishing amount of mushroom varieties is grown in Fujian, made a lasting impression on the travelers.

It’s common knowledge that China has the world's fastest growing economy with growth reaching no less than 9 % per year. The past two decades have seen incredible changes. Motorway networks now link all the major urban centres, and using your mobile phone is often easier there than in many places in Europe! And the sheer size is impressive. Shanghai for example houses no fewer than 18 million inhabitants, with a skyline to rival any major American city. As far as production goes, there are large volumes and the potential is huge, particularly concerning the massive variety in mushroom production. As well as culinary use of edible exotics, mushrooms are traditionally valued for their medicinal properties. Mushroom growing methods are generally quite primitive, but the 10,000 growers is China propel it into first place as the largest mushroom producing country in the world. More than enough reason to take a close look at this promising country.

Programme

The group first attended the 2nd International Mushroom congress in Fuzhou (see article Peter Oei). An alternative programme was arranged to visit temples and areas of natural beauty. The journey then continued to the heart of Fujian. This province in South East China is known as the cradle of Chinese mushroom growing. No less than 45 different varieties are grown here. We visited an exotic mushroom farm, a mushroom grower and an institute researching into spawn and varieties. The visit to South East China was concluded by a visit to the historic trading port of Xiamen. On the way back we visited Peking, and naturally saw the Chinese Wall and Tiananmen Square.

Chinese mushroom growing

Mushroom growing in China can in no way be compared to the farms we are familiar with in Europe, America and Australia. First of all, cultivation is very seasonal, particularly in the south of China. The mushrooms are grown in very primitive bamboo sheds without cooling and without any form of climate control. With outside daytime temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius for six months of the year - reaching a sizzling 40 degrees in the summer, it’s obvious that without cooling there's absolutely no chance of good crops.

Well harmonised to this seasonal pattern of mushroom growing is however rice cultivation, which after the harvest at the end of the warm season provides ample stocks of rice straw. This straw is used as a raw material to prepare compost for mushroom growing. After the rice harvest, the temperature cools considerably so composting can start.

Growing in Fujian

In the province of Fujian are tens of thousands (!) of mushroom growers - arranged in a kind of winding ribbon development alongside the many roads. Kerkdriel in the Netherlands and

In the period we visited, the first compost heaps were being made at the farms. A chore still done by hand using straw baskets and compost forks and rakes. Machines have no role at all. Some growers were busy plaiting new bamboo extensions to the number of 'rooms' and even the shelving is made from bamboo (see photographs).

Cook out is not used here either, partly due to the rather bad hygiene conditions; open growing rooms, the absence of concrete floors and air filters means its just as well the Chinese are growing seasonal crops. As the season draws to a close, many growers face considerable problems with all kinds of pests and diseases in the crops. Namely wet bubble and cork foot are prevalent.

Research on going in China, at the University of Fuzhou, is investigating production of various mushrooms on grass. They are also studying if good results can be achieved with the production of Agaricus bisporus on grass compost. The grass concerned here is a variety similar to sugar cane grass.

The visual results of the incubated grass were amazingly good. One reason to look into this type of production is to find a way to use the surplus of this type of grass. Another reason is to source a longer-term supply of raw material so the production season can be lengthened. This will also reduce the reliance on rice straw.

Casing soil is primitively produced using local soil. Striking is the thin layer of compost applied, from 40 to 60 kg/m². The reason is the light load bearing capacity of the bamboo shelving, and a higher production per ton of compost. As the result is also less heat production per square metre, the system is well suited to production without cooling.

We did see some form of cooling in the experimental facility at FujianAgriculturalUniversity where huge blocks of ice were positioned underneath the shelving. A rather crude but highly creative solution.

Advantages and progress

In China, mushroom growing is effectively set up concerning measures to keep production costs low. This country - with its 1.3 billion inhabitants - has no shortage of cheap labour. The quality demanded of the final product is at a very low level, and (European) quality standards for Agaricus bisporis are totally unknown. Another big advantage for Chinese growers is that the domestic market is ready for a greater supply of fresh produce and rising quality standards will serve to stimulate consumer interest.

As far as environmental permits or other bureaucratic red tape, China is a country with much freedom and few obstacles. Farms are even found in residential areas, close to houses. The Chinese people are extremely tolerant and unphased by this practise. Assets that many foreign growers can only be envious of.

To summarise, although extensive in size, mushroom growing there is primitive and carried out at low cost. Developments, embracing the whole agricultural sector, are proceeding at a rapid pace and as far as mushrooms are concerned there are already numerous companies modelled on Western examples, with modern technology and equipment. Marketing is far ahead of the producers. This, coupled to an immense domestic market, creates the ideal foundation for vigorous development of the mushroom industry.

In more ways than one, ours was a never to be forgotten journey.

Kenneth Square

in Pennsylvania in the USA at their prime don't even stand the comparison!