Rapid preparation of composts suitable for the production of the cultivated mushroom

Substrates which favour the growth and development of mushrooms have been prepared from simple mixtures of wheat straw, wheat bran, peat, powdered chalk and additional soluble carbohydrates. Fermentation of ingredients was carried out in wooden trays within a well insulated “pasteurisation” room where temperature was controlled by intermittent injections of steam. By controlling the fermentation within strict limits to encourage naturally occurring thermophilic micro-organisms, substrates have been prepared in 4–5 days, compared with the usual composting period of 14–21 days.