Studies on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Different Casing Materials Affecting Mycelial Growth and Yield of Cultivated Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing.

양송이의 균사생장(菌絲生長) 및 자실체(子寶體) 수량(收量)에 미치는 복토재료(覆土材料)의 이화학적(理化學的) 성질(性質)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究)

Since the importance of casing in fruit body formation of Agaricus bisporus has been emphasized, physico-chemical characteristics of casing materials were discussed by many workers and a mixture of peat and mineral soil as proper casing material has been adopted in many of mushroom growing countries. Because of limited resources of peat in Korea, it is necessary to find practical performance and substitutional materials for casing. The effect of casing on mycelial growth and mushroom yield of A. bisporus varied with materials, its combination and practices etc. The experiments to be discussed in this paper are concerned with pH and Ca of casing material which influence A bisporus, and changes of physico-chemical characteristics with mixing ratio of casing materials and its effect on A. bisporus. The optimum range of moisture content of each material, management of watering and application of physico-chemical characteristics casing materials was also investigated and re-use of weathered spent compost for casing material was described. 1. The effect of calcium on mycelial growth of A. bisporus at various pH in Halbschalentest showed different results with calcium sources. Best results were obtained around neutrality and fresh weight of fruit bodies grown in the range of pH 7 to 8 was highest among the tested levels. 2. Available moisture, pore space, organic matter, cation exchangeable capacity and exchangeable cation was increased by an increase of mixing ratio of peat in casing materials, while an adverse effect was obtained by addition of sand. 3. Mycelial growth on clay loam was more rapid at a lower bulk density of 0.75g/cc and at 20% moisture content on a dry weight basis at the same bulk density. 4. Mixing ratio of casing materials, 60 to 80 per cent by volume of peat mixed with 20 to 40 per cent of clay loam produced the highest yield of fresh fruit bodies and sand the lowest. However, per cent of open cap was highest in peat and lowest in sand. 5. Days required for fruit body initiation was shortened in mixtures of peat and clay loam by one to three days compared with other materials and the formation of flushes was clear. 6. The effect of some physico-chemical characteristics of casing materials on the fresh weight of fruit bodies were estimated by a multiple regression equation; Y=-923.86+$8.18X_1+8.04X_2+7.90X_3+0.12X_4+2.03X_5-0.82X_6-0.54X_7$ where $X_1,X_2,X_3,X_4,X_5,X_6,X_7$ are sand, silt, clay, available moistuer, porosity, organic matter and exchangeable cation respectively. The productivity of certain casing material could be predicted from this equation. 7. Fresh weight of fruit bodies was positively correlated with porosity exchangeable cation, organic matter, available moisture, silt and clay of materials; while sand was negatively correlated. On the contrary, sand was the unique factor reducing per cent of open cap. 8. Distribution of three phases of high productive casing material was concentrated in the range of 10 to 30 per cent solids, 15 to 30 per cent liquids, and 50 to 60 per cent in air volume. 9. Fresh weight of fruit bodies from peat was not affected with heavy watering but in clay loam and sandy loam severe crop losses occurred. Fresh weight of individual fruit was increased and open caps were decreased with heavy watering but light watering resulted in adverse effects: its effect was especially great in peat. 10. Optimum range of moisture content by weight on a dry basis was different with each casing material. To maintain optimum moisture content concerned with yield of fruit bodies and open cap, sandy loam and peat mixtures required daily watering of 0.6, 0.6 to 1. 2 and 1.2 to 2.4 liters per $3.3m^2$ of bed area, respectively. 11. Maximum yield of fruit body was recorded in the range of pF 2. 0 to 2. 5 of casing materials if organic matter content was below 4.2 per cent and in pF 1. 3 to 1.8 if above 7.1%. 12. pF curve of a certain casing material could be draws from moisture content at various pF values by multiple regression equations provided texture, organic matter and calcium of the casing material are given. Optimum moisture range of the casing materials also could be estimated by the equation. 13. It was possible to improve the phyico-chemical characteristics of clay loam and sandy loam by addition of weathered spent compost although the effect was less than in the case of peat. Fresh weight of fruit bodies wsa increased by addition of weathered spent compost but its effect was not as remarkable as peat. Accordingly, further studies will be required.